Chapter thirty nine

The moment Kai stepped back into the heart of the pack’s territory, the energy shifted. It was like stepping from one world into another, the controlled chaos of Orion’s domain replaced with the raw, untamed power of their pack. But even here, surrounded by familiar faces and the steady presence of wolves who had pledged their loyalty to Lucian, the tension was thick.

War was coming.

And Kai had brought it to their doorstep.

The pack was already moving, responding to the emergency before anyone had to give the command. Warriors reinforced the borders, younger wolves were ushered into safer parts of the territory, and scouts disappeared into the treetops, tracking any signs of Orion’s forces. The scent of sharpened steel and damp earth filled the air, a stark reminder of what lay ahead.

Lucian had barely spoken a word since their return.

Kai knew why.

And he wasn’t looking forward to what was coming next.

As soon as Anna was safely inside the healer’s cabin, Kai felt Lucian’s grip on his wrist, dragging him away from the others.

They didn’t stop until they reached the training grounds, an open stretch of land lined with weapons and sparring pits. It was empty now—most of the fighters were elsewhere, preparing.

Kai barely had time to turn before Lucian slammed him against the nearest post, the force knocking the breath from his lungs.

“What the hell were you thinking?” Lucian’s voice was low, but fierce, his sharp blue eyes burning.

Kai glared at him, even as his ribs ached from the impact. “I was thinking about getting us information—which, by the way, we now have.”

Lucian’s fingers tightened on his collar. “You almost didn’t come back.”

Kai scoffed. “That’s always a risk, isn’t it?”

Lucian’s eyes darkened, something dangerous flickering behind them.

Kai expected more yelling, expected another round of What if you had been caught? or What if Orion had decided to keep you?

But Lucian did something else.

He leaned in, his breath warm against Kai’s skin, and whispered, “I felt it.”

Kai’s pulse stopped.

Lucian pulled back just enough to meet his gaze. “I felt him on you.” His fingers dug in slightly, like he was trying to anchor Kai back to reality. “He tried to pull you in, didn’t he?”

Kai swallowed hard.

Because yes. Orion had tried.

And for a brief moment, he had almost succeeded.

Kai exhaled sharply. “It doesn’t matter.”

Lucian’s growl rumbled in his chest. “It matters to me.”

Kai clenched his jaw. “I didn’t let him win.”

Lucian studied him for a long moment, then released him, stepping back. His jaw was tight, his body coiled with an emotion Kai couldn’t place—anger, yes, but beneath that…

Fear.

Kai felt it.

Lucian turned away, running a hand through his hair before speaking again, his voice rough. “Orion won’t stop.”

Kai nodded. “I know.”

Lucian exhaled slowly, his shoulders tense. “Then we prepare.”

Kai swallowed down the ache in his chest.

There was no room for hesitation anymore.

Hours later, Kai found Anna.

She was sitting on the porch of the healer’s cabin, her arms wrapped around her legs, her expression distant. The faint glow of her mark had dimmed, but it was still there—a silent reminder of what Orion had done to her.

Kai sat beside her, not speaking right away.

Anna exhaled. “You’re mad at me.”

Kai huffed a quiet laugh. “I don’t think I have the energy to be mad at you right now.”

She glanced at him, lips twitching slightly. “That’s a first.”

Silence stretched between them.

Then Anna spoke, her voice quieter this time. “There’s something I haven’t told you.”

Kai stiffened, but he didn’t interrupt.

Anna turned her gaze toward the distant treeline, eyes unfocused. “Orion isn’t just a Null.” Her voice wavered. “He’s something else.”

Kai felt ice crawl down his spine.

“What do you mean?”

Anna exhaled shakily. “He’s… older than he should be. Stronger than he should be.” She rubbed a hand over her mark. “The way he controls wolves—it’s not just his abilities as a Null. It’s something more.”

Kai’s pulse thundered.

He had felt Orion’s power firsthand. Had sensed something unnatural in him, something twisted.

But this?

Anna swallowed. “I don’t think we’re dealing with a normal wolf anymore, Kai.”

Kai’s throat went dry. “Then what are we dealing with?”

Anna hesitated. “Something ancient.”

The words settled heavily in the air.

Kai could barely process them before the howls erupted from the border.

His body reacted instantly, instincts screaming as he shot to his feet.

Anna followed, her face pale.

The howls weren’t a warning.

They were a battle cry.

The war had begun.

The pack exploded into action.

Lucian’s voice rang out across the clearing, barking orders, sending warriors to defend the perimeter.

Kai sprinted toward the treeline, Kieran and Rhett close behind. The scent of blood and smoke filled the air, carried by the wind before they even reached the fight.

The battle had already begun.

Orion’s wolves had breached the borders, moving fast, coordinated—not just a reckless attack, but a calculated strike.

Kai’s wolf surged forward, claws unsheathing, instincts screaming for blood.

He didn’t hesitate.

The moment he reached the battlefield, he launched himself at the nearest enemy.

Claws met flesh, the sickening crunch of impact rattling through his bones as he took the wolf down.

Kieran was at his side, moving like lightning, cutting through Orion’s wolves with precise efficiency.

Rhett was pure chaos, a blur of movement and destruction, laughing as he tore through the battlefield like it was a game.

But this wasn’t a game.

This was war.

And Orion’s wolves weren’t just fighting to win.

They were fighting to take.

Kai barely dodged a strike aimed at his ribs, twisting mid-air and slamming his knee into his attacker’s chest. The wolf crumpled, but another took his place immediately.

There were too many.

For every wolf they took down, another appeared.

Lucian’s voice rang through the mind link, sharp and commanding.

“Hold the line!”

Kai snarled, driving his claws into another opponent, but then—

The air shifted.

A pulse of power rolled across the battlefield, cold and suffocating.

Kai froze.

Then, slowly, his head turned.

A lone figure stood at the edge of the clearing, watching.

Not fighting.

Watching.

Kai’s stomach dropped.

Orion.

His presence was crushing, even from a distance. The air felt thick, charged with something wrong.

And his red eyes were locked directly on Kai.

A slow, knowing smile curled at Orion’s lips.

Like he had already won.

Kai’s breath caught.

Because suddenly—

It wasn’t just about the battle.

It wasn’t just about the war.

It was about him.

And Orion was coming to claim what he thought was his.