Chapter 225 Chapter 225

Chapter 225 Chapter 225
Ellie

The moment we stepped back inside the Alpha house, I knew something had changed.

Not in the room.

In the people.

Nobody laughed on the walk home. Blake tried once—something about ancient tunnels being a terrible tourist attraction—but even he let the joke die halfway through. Theo disappeared into his office before his jacket was completely off, already barking orders to double the patrols and lock down every entrance to the compound. Sebastian quietly stationed warriors at every approach to the Alpha house without anyone needing to ask.

The entire pack felt like it was holding its breath.

I stood in the foyer, watching everyone move with purpose around me, and for the first time since this all began, I didn’t feel helpless.

I felt…

Ready.

Not because I wasn’t scared.

I was terrified.

But fear didn’t own me anymore.

The front door opened again, and three more patrol wolves hurried inside, rain dripping from their jackets.

“The eastern patrol is in position,” one of them reported to Theo.

“The northern perimeter?”

“Secured.”

“The southern woods?”

“Warriors are already moving into place.”

Theo nodded once. “Nobody enters or leaves the compound without being identified.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

The young wolf hurried back outside.

Blake wandered into the kitchen, grabbed an apple from a bowl on the counter, took one bite, then immediately abandoned it when another warrior rushed through the door with fresh information.

“You’re stress-eating,” I said.

He looked down at the apple like he’d forgotten it existed.

“…Maybe.”

“You don’t even like apples.”

“I don’t.”

“So why did you grab one?”

“I panicked.”

Despite everything, I laughed.

He smiled when he heard it.

“There she is.”

“What?”

“I’ve been trying to get that laugh back since we left the meeting hall.”

My smile softened.

“You noticed?”

“I notice everything about you.”

The words should’ve embarrassed me.

Instead…

They settled somewhere warm inside my chest.

Before I could answer, the sound of a horn echoed across the compound.

Once.

Twice.

Then a third time.

Every wolf inside the house froze.

Theo’s head snapped toward the window.

“That’s not a patrol signal.”

Marcus was already moving.

“It’s the emergency alarm.”

Another horn blast rolled across the pack lands.

Longer this time.

Urgent.

Outside, wolves began shouting.

Doors opened all along the compound.

Warriors sprinted toward the center of the village.

Theo looked at Sebastian.

“With me.”

They were already moving before the sentence finished.

Blake grabbed my hand.

“You stay—”

“No.”

The word came out sharper than I’d intended.

Three pairs of eyes landed on me.

“I’m done staying behind.”

“Ellie—”

“I know the risks.”

I stepped closer, refusing to back down.

“I’m not asking to fight.”

I looked at each of them.

“But whatever’s happening…”

My voice steadied.

“…I’m facing it with you.”

For one long second, nobody spoke.

Then Theo gave a single nod.

“You don’t leave our side.”

“I won’t.”

We ran.

Rain soaked through my clothes within seconds as we crossed the compound.

Everywhere I looked, wolves were rushing in the same direction.

Children were being ushered indoors.

Mothers gathered frightened pups into their arms.

Warriors shifted as they ran, massive wolves disappearing between buildings toward the northern edge of the territory.

Something was wrong.

Terribly wrong.

When we reached the old council square, the crowd suddenly stopped.

Not because there was nowhere else to go.

Because everyone was staring.

I pushed forward between Blake and Sebastian.

Then I saw it.

One of the northern watchtowers…

Was burning.

Flames climbed the wooden supports, sending thick black smoke twisting into the gray afternoon sky.

Warriors were already hauling buckets from the nearby well, but something about the fire looked…

Wrong.

The flames burned darker than they should have.

Almost black.

Rowan arrived moments later, breathing hard.

“The tower?”

Marcus shook his head.

“It wasn’t lightning.”

“It was set.”

A warrior came stumbling out of the smoke.

His clothes were torn.

Blood streaked one side of his face.

“The captain…”

He struggled to catch his breath.

“…the captain’s still inside.”

Without hesitation, Blake lunged toward the burning tower.

Theo grabbed his arm.

“No.”

“He’s alive!”

“The roof is collapsing.”

“I don’t care!”

“I do!”

The brothers locked eyes.

For one heartbeat, neither moved.

Then…

A scream tore through the air from inside the tower.

Blake ripped free.

“I’m going!”

Sebastian was already beside him.

“So am I.”

“Theo,” Marcus barked.

“Support beams.”

Theo nodded once before turning toward the warriors.

“Axes!”

Four wolves ran.

Another shifted, slamming his shoulder into the burning doorway.

The wood groaned but held.

Blake didn’t wait.

He shifted mid-stride.

Bones cracked.

Muscle stretched.

Within seconds, a massive silver wolf burst through the smoke, disappearing into the flames.

Sebastian followed immediately behind.

The crowd erupted into chaos.

I stood frozen.

Every instinct screamed at me to do something.

Anything.

Then…

The bond hit me.

Hard.

Pain.

Not mine.

Blake’s.

A sharp burst across my shoulder followed instantly by Sebastian’s determination and Theo’s fear.

I gasped.

Theo caught me before I stumbled.

“What is it?”

“I…”

My hand flew to my chest.

“I can feel them.”

His eyes widened.

“The bond.”

Blake’s pain flared again.

Stronger this time.

Without thinking, I turned toward the tower.

“They’re trapped!”

Theo stared at me.

“What?”

“The staircase!”

The words spilled out before I understood them.

“The left side collapsed!”

Marcus looked sharply toward the burning building.

“How would she know that?”

“I don’t know!”

I grabbed Theo’s arm.

“But they can’t come back the way they went in!”

Theo hesitated only a second.

Then he shouted toward the warriors.

“Rear entrance!”

Everyone froze.

“There isn’t one,” someone yelled.

“There is now.”

Theo pointed toward the back wall.

“Break through it!”

Axes struck old timber.

Again.

Again.

Again.

The wall splintered.

A section crashed inward.

For one terrible heartbeat…

Nothing happened.

Then a huge silver wolf burst through the opening carrying an unconscious warrior across his back.

Blake.

Sebastian emerged right behind him, smoke clinging to his dark fur.

The entire crowd erupted.

Cheers.

Shouts.

Relieved sobs.

As Blake shifted back into human form, coughing through the smoke, his eyes found mine immediately.

“You knew.”

I nodded, tears already filling my eyes.

“I felt you.”

Before anyone could say another word…

A slow clap echoed across the square.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Every wolf turned.

Standing on the stone wall overlooking the compound was a man dressed entirely in black.

His hood hid most of his face, but the cruel smile beneath it was impossible to miss.

He looked directly at me.

“So…”

His voice carried effortlessly across the silent square.

“The bond really is complete.”

Nobody moved.

Not even the wind seemed willing to disturb the silence.

The stranger smiled wider.

Then he bowed.

“My name is Malachar.”

His gaze never left mine.

“And I’ve been waiting a very long time to finally meet you, Moon-Blessed.”