Clash of Heirs

Kayden - POV

A guttural growl tore through the air as Colt’s wolf launched at me, his claws wreathed in swirling black magic. I pivoted hard, dodging the strike. My strategy was clear—play defense, keep him chasing, and wear him down.

“Burn him!” Odin roared in my head, his anger fueling mine.

“Not yet,” I snapped, landing lightly on my feet. My body was tense, every nerve on edge.

Colt snarled again, frustration seeping through his glowing red wolf eyes. His fur bristled as if he could sense my plan, but he wasn’t ready for me to strike yet. Not yet.

“Why are we stalling?” Odin barked, his voice pounding in my skull.

“You’re missing the bigger picture,” I replied coolly. Even as Colt’s claws tore into me with a few painful slashes, I kept my focus. His smirk told me he thought he had the upper hand—but he didn’t. Not for long.

“I don’t see a point to this!” Odin growled, impatience dripping from his words.

I clenched my jaw. Odin didn’t get it. The Raven Heir couldn’t be killed by ordinary means—not unless I drove the flames of pure magic straight into his heart. This had to end with precision, not chaos. I surged forward, claws aimed right at his chest, just as Colt seemed to realize my intent. He twisted sharply, dodging my strike at the last second.

“Fuck!” I hissed, raw frustration clawing at me.

Colt shifted back to his human form, a satisfied smirk curling on his lips. But his focus wasn’t on me anymore. His eyes darted

toward the distance, a flicker of panic crossing his features.

“What’s the matter? Running away, you coward?” I spat, shifting back myself, blood trickling down my side.

“Not running,” he said, his voice disturbingly calm. “But my sister’s trying to steal what’s mine, and I can’t let that happen.”

Before I could block his path, Colt snapped his fingers. A searing shot of wolfsbane erupted from his fingertips, slamming into me.

Pain exploded in my chest. “Fuck!” I choked, my body paralyzed.

Colt shifted back into wolf form and sprinted toward Heather.

“Stella!” I called out, but my voice barely carried. She was too drained from healing—she wouldn’t be able to help me this time. The wolfsbane coursed through my veins like fire, leaving me helpless on the ground. My wolf howled in agony, clawing for control as the poison spread.

I forced a deep breath, trying to center myself. Focus. My body felt like it was breaking apart, but I couldn’t stop. I had to reach Heather. I couldn’t let Colt get to her. Her face flashed in my mind—my mate, my light, my everything.

Please… I begged the strange power within me. Help me break free.

And then I felt it. A spark deep inside. Something new. Something… unstoppable.

Heather - POV

A shiver rippled down my spine as raw energy coursed through me. My lips curled into a triumphant smile. For the third time, I had managed to extract the power of the Raven Heir.

“Don’t celebrate yet,” Whitney’s warning echoed in my mind. “We’ve still got bigger problems.”

I stepped into the shrine, determination hardening every movement. I didn’t know how to control this new power—not yet—but instincts were all I had to rely on. And they hadn’t failed me yet.

“Luna!” someone called, their voice laced with desperation. “Please… help us.”

“I will,” I promised, my voice steady. “I’ll save you all.”

“You’ll get yourself killed,” a cloaked wizard sneered from the shadows, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Or maybe you’ll be the one dying,” I shot back, my voice cold as steel. “Want to find out, asshole?”

His hand flared with magic, dark tendrils swirling as he hurled an attack at me. I shifted partially, dodging the spell with ease. My fists moved on instinct, colliding with his magic. The impact sent a shockwave through the air, blowing his hood back.

For a brief second, I saw it—the flicker of fear in his eyes. Even the necromancers chanting nearby faltered, their focus broken as they stared at me in disbelief.

“She… she’s stolen the power of the Raven Heir,” one of them whispered in terror.

“Fuck! We need to leave!” another hissed.

“No!” one shouted. “We can’t betray the master!”

Ignoring their bickering, I stretched out my hands, the glow of my newfound magic surging to life. In one fluid motion, I shattered the wolfsbane bindings holding my pack members. They scrambled to safety, disappearing into the shadows.

“Done gossiping, ladies?” I snarled. “Because this Luna is ready to dance.”

I didn’t wait for a response. My speed ignited, faster than lightning. Their barriers crumbled before me, my fists glowing with black and purple energy. With one punch, I shattered the ribcage of the nearest wizard, his blood splattering across my face.

“Holy shit…” I whispered, stunned at my own strength.

A scream tore through the chaos as another came at me, but I twisted, grabbing him in a chokehold and snapping his neck with ease. The remaining three panicked, scrambling for the exit.

“Run!” one yelled, but they didn’t get far.

Magic crackled at my fingertips, shooting out in precise, deadly blasts. One. Two. Three. All three necromancers hit the ground, lifeless. I let out a breath, surveying the bloodied battlefield. My body throbbed with exhaustion, my wounds healing as quickly as they’d formed.

But then it hit me—a surge of raw pain. Magic slammed into my back, flinging me against a tree. I hit the ground hard, gasping for air.

When I looked up, Colt was standing over me, his eyes blazing with rage.

“You bitch,” he growled. “You dare to take what’s mine?”

I staggered to my feet, glaring at him. “You’re not the only heir, asshole. Looks like I’m better at it than you.”

His face twisted in fury. “How do you know about the Raven’s secrets? Those aren’t supposed to be revealed until you swear loyalty to the elders!”

A bitter laugh escaped me. “Our father wrote it all down in a little book, Colt. Turns out, your so-called ‘secrets’ aren’t so secret after

all. That’s why your plans keep blowing up in your face.”

With a guttural roar, Colt shifted into his wolf form. I followed, my body moving on pure adrenaline. Magic erupted from both of us—blazing beams of power colliding midair.

We charged at each other, each determined to end this. But this wasn’t just about power. This was war. Only one of us was walking away alive.

And I intended to make sure it was me.