Chapter thirty two

Kai woke slowly, warmth surrounding him. His body ached in places he hadn’t noticed before, but there was something grounding about the solid weight of his mates beside him. Lucian was pressed against his back, steady and unmoving even in sleep. Kieran’s arm draped over his waist, his breath slow and even. Rhett was sprawled across the bed, one leg tangled with Kai’s, a satisfied smirk still playing on his lips even in unconsciousness.

For the first time in years, Kai felt something close to peace.

The last few days had been a whirlwind—freeing Orion’s wolves, bringing them into the pack, and preparing for the war that loomed ahead. But here, in this moment, everything was quiet. He let himself breathe it in, the scent of his mates wrapping around him like a protective shield.

Then the weight of reality crashed back onto his chest.

Orion wasn’t gone. His hold over the freed wolves wasn’t fully broken. The mark on Anna’s arm was still spreading, a haunting reminder that they weren’t safe yet. And the war wasn’t over—it was only beginning.

Kai sighed and shifted carefully, trying not to wake them. Lucian’s fingers tightened around his wrist the moment he moved, his voice rough from sleep. “Where are you going?”

Kai swallowed. “Nowhere. Just… thinking.”

Lucian’s grip loosened slightly, but he didn’t let go. “You think too much.”

Kai let out a soft huff. “And you don’t think enough?”

Kieran chuckled from beside him, his voice still laced with sleep. “That’s Rhett.”

Rhett groaned, shifting. “You wound me, truly.”

Kai rolled his eyes, but the familiar banter settled something in his chest. He had been alone for so long, running, surviving, keeping everyone at arm’s length. Now he had a pack. A family. Mates who refused to let him go.

But that also meant he had something to lose.

He turned onto his back, staring at the ceiling. “The freed wolves. How are they?”

Lucian sighed, propping himself up on one elbow. “Some are adjusting. Others…” He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. “Not so much.”

Kai clenched his jaw. He had seen it in their eyes when they brought them back. The confusion, the fear. The hesitation in their movements, like they didn’t quite believe they were free. Orion’s control might have been broken, but the scars he left behind weren’t so easily erased.

Anna had been working with them, trying to reach them the way she had been reached. But Kai knew it wasn’t going to be easy.

Kieran sat up, rubbing his face. “A few of them still react on instinct. They flinch at orders, hesitate when given choices.” He exhaled. “They’re not used to thinking for themselves anymore.”

Kai ran a hand through his hair. “Orion did more than control them. He made them believe they had no other option.” His stomach twisted. “That’s not something that just goes away.”

Rhett stretched, his movements slow and lazy, but his voice was uncharacteristically serious. “They’ll get there. But it’ll take time.”

Time they didn’t have.

Kai sat up fully, the blanket slipping off his shoulders. “Lucian, we need a plan.”

Lucian met his gaze, nodding. “I know.”

They got up, dressing quickly. The moment they stepped outside, the weight of the pack settled over them. Wolves moved through the clearing, some training, others working on reinforcing defenses. But there was an underlying tension in the air, thick and suffocating.

Mira was already waiting by the main cabin, her arms crossed, eyes sharp. “Good, you’re up. We have a problem.”

Lucian frowned. “What kind of problem?”

Mira glanced at Kai before answering. “The freed wolves. Some of them are struggling. Badly.”

Kai’s chest tightened. “Where?”

Mira turned, leading them toward the far side of the camp. As they walked, Kai noticed how some of the newer wolves kept their distance, their eyes darting around like they expected an attack at any moment. It wasn’t just unease. It was fear.

When they reached the small cluster of cabins, Anna was already there, crouched beside a trembling wolf. The man looked young, barely out of his teens, but his hands shook as he gripped his head, his breathing ragged.

“I don’t— I don’t understand,” he whispered. “Where am I? What is this?”

Anna’s expression was calm, patient. “You’re safe. You’re with us now.”

The man’s breath hitched. “I can still feel him.”

Kai froze.

Anna met his gaze, her expression tight. “It’s happening to more of them.”

Lucian stepped forward. “What do you mean?”

Anna stood slowly, brushing her hands off on her pants. “Orion’s hold—some of them aren’t fully free. Whatever he did to them, it’s still there, buried beneath the surface.” Her eyes flickered to the mark on her own arm. “Like he’s waiting.”

Kai felt a shiver run down his spine. “You think he can still reach them?”

Anna exhaled, looking at the wolves surrounding her. “I think if we don’t find a way to break whatever’s left of his hold, he might be able to pull them back.”

Lucian’s expression darkened. “That can’t happen.”

Anna nodded. “Then we need to act fast.”

Before anyone could respond, a scout ran toward them, his breathing heavy, his eyes wide.

Kai’s stomach dropped before the words even left his mouth.

“Orion’s forces. They’ve been spotted. Near our borders.”

Silence crashed over the group.

Lucian’s jaw clenched. “How many?”

The scout swallowed hard. “A warband. Maybe fifty. Maybe more.” His voice trembled. “They’re not attacking yet. Just… watching.”

Kai’s heart pounded. Orion was waiting. Testing them.

He felt Lucian’s energy shift, his stance straightening, his voice turning to steel. “Call a meeting. Now.”

The scout nodded and took off.

Rhett let out a slow breath. “Well. So much for resting.”

Kieran’s golden eyes flickered with something dark. “We knew he wouldn’t let them go without a fight.”

Anna inhaled sharply, looking back at the wolves she had been tending to. “This is what he wanted. He’s stalling us. Making us panic.”

Kai’s fists clenched. “Then we don’t let him.”

Lucian turned to Mira. “Double the patrols. If they make a move, I want to know before it happens.”

Mira nodded. “Understood.”

Kai’s mind was racing. Orion wasn’t just sending a message. He was waiting for something.

He turned to Anna. “Can you feel him?”

Anna hesitated, then exhaled. “He’s… close.” Her fingers twitched against the mark on her arm. “But he’s not leading this force.”

Kai frowned. “Then who is?”

Anna’s gaze flickered toward the horizon. “Someone worse.”

A cold dread settled in Kai’s stomach.

Lucian’s voice was sharp. “Then we prepare for war.”

Kai inhaled deeply, his chest tightening. He had known this was coming. Had felt it in his bones from the moment they had freed those wolves.

Orion was making his move.

And they had to be ready.