Chapter 48: Fated to Bleed

That night, Kael sat alone in his chamber, staring into the dying embers of the fireplace. The walls felt like they were closing in, suffocating him under the weight of a decision he couldn’t make.

He’d sworn an oath the day he became Alpha—to protect *BLOODFANG*, to put the pack above all else. Every decision, every sacrifice, every drop of blood spilled had been for them.

But now…

Now, his heart pulled him in another direction. Toward her. Toward Aria.

The girl destined to be his ruin. The girl he couldn’t walk away from even if the moon itself demanded it.

Kael dragged a hand through his hair, his chest tightening painfully.

“I’m supposed to protect them,” he whispered to no one. “They’re my pack. My family.”

And yet, every time he looked at Aria, every time she flinched from the pack’s hatred or cried herself to sleep believing she was a monster… he broke a little more.

He loved her. The truth of it was terrifying. He loved her in a way that made him selfish.

And that selfishness… it might just get everyone killed.

What if Marcus was right? What if keeping Aria here meant dooming BLOODFANG? What if the pack started questioning his leadership, challenging him? He could already see it in their eyes—the doubt, the anger.

But the thought of killing her? Ending Aria just to save the pack?

Kael’s stomach turned violently.

No. He couldn’t. He wouldn’t.

Even if it destroyed him.

A knock pulled him from his spiral. Slowly, he turned.

Aria stood there, pale and trembling, like she’d heard everything. Maybe she had.

She didn’t speak. She just looked at him, eyes glassy with unshed tears.

And Kael knew… whatever choice he made, someone would bleed.

But not tonight.

Tonight, he stood, crossed the room, and pulled her into his arms.

“I’ll find a way,” he swore into her hair. “Even if it kills me, I’ll find a way.”

Aria clung to him, trembling, but even in his arms, she felt no peace. The warmth of Kael’s embrace only made the storm inside her worse.

Love. Anger. Fear.

They crashed together like violent waves, feeding the dark entity that slumbered deep within her soul. The Lunari stirred, sensing her breaking heart, her confusion—feeding off it.

“Kael…” Her voice cracked, barely a whisper. “I don’t know if I can do this. I don’t know who I am anymore.”

Kael pulled back, cupping her face gently. “You’re mine,” he said fiercely. “You’re Aria. The girl I..” He stopped himself, swallowing hard. “The girl I would burn this world for.”

But those words only made the pressure in her chest worse.

“You don’t understand,” she choked out, tears streaming down her cheeks.

A sudden gust of power pulsed from her body, forcing Kael back a step. Her eyes glowed faintly, a dangerous flicker of silver,not her own.

Kael’s heart dropped. “Aria… stop. Breathe. You’re stronger than this. You hear me?”

She shook her head, hands clenched in her lap. “No, I’m not. I’m weak. And I hate myself for it. I hate that I need you. I hate that loving you makes me dangerous. I hate that..hate that I put you and your pack in danger. I hate that..that they question you because..because of me” she whimpered

The air crackled, shadows slithering at the edges of the room. Mera’s laughter echoed faintly in her mind, taunting her.

“You’re mine, child. You were always mine.”

Aria gasped, clutching her head, sobbing, breaking free. “Kael… I don’t want to hurt you. I can’t..”

Kael crossed the distance between them, gripping her wrists. “Listen to me. I don’t care what’s inside you. I’m not afraid of it. I’m not afraid of you.”

“You should be,” she whispered.

His gaze softened, but his jaw clenched in determination. “No. You’re my mate, Aria. You’re mine. And I’ll fight this… with you. Against you. I don’t care what it takes.”

Aria broke then, collapsing against him as her power flickered out, her emotions drained. She sobbed until there was nothing left but exhaustion.

Kael held her long into the night, his heart breaking.

***

Kael left Aria sleeping, her exhausted body curled tightly on the bed. The weight of what just happened settled heavily on his shoulders. He had no answers… only fear.

There was only one place left to turn.

The Old Wolf.

The night was still, the forest silent as Kael made his way to the elder’s chambers. The air smelled of age, of dust and fading memories. The Old Wolf was waiting, as if he knew Kael would come.

“You seek answers,” the old man rasped, his pale eyes gleaming with sorrow. “But you already know them, boy.”

Kael’s jaw tightened. “Tell me. Tell me there’s another way to save her..save my pack.”

The Old Wolf shook his head slowly. “The Old Seer spoke the truth.A life for a life.”

“There has to be another way,” Kael growled, pacing like a caged animal.

The Old Wolf leaned forward. “There’s only one way to rip Mera’s essence from the girl. A ritual… old magic… dangerous. It needs a powerful life force to anchor it. Blood magic. Alpha blood.”

Kael froze. “Me.”

The Old Wolf nodded. “Your life… your soul… it’s the only thing strong enough to sever the bond. You will die, Kael. There’s no surviving it.”

The words landed like a blade to the heart. Kael’s fists clenched until his nails bit into his palms.

“If I die… what happens to Aria?”

The Old Wolf’s expression softened, filled with pity. “She lives. Free. Human? Wolf? But she will carry the memory of your death… until the end of her days.”

Kael’s throat burned. “And the pack?”

“They survive. If she lives, the world lives.”

For a long moment, Kael said nothing. He stared at the floor, his mind torn between duty, love, and the impossible choice laid before him.

Finally, he whispered, “If that’s what it takes… I’ll do it.”

The Old Wolf nodded solemnly. “You are a true Alpha, Kael. But tell no one. Not yet. There is still time… and sometimes, fate changes.”

Kael stood, shoulders heavy with the weight of his decision. “What if fate doesn’t change?”

The Old Wolf gave a sad smile. “Then you die protecting your loved one….”

Kael left without another word, his heart already breaking.

And as he walked back toward the packhouse, one thought echoed in his mind:

“How do I say goodbye to the only thing I’ve ever loved?”