Chapter 25 Chapter 35
Kael’s POV
The moment he stepped into the courtyard, every wolf went silent. Even the wind seemed to stop. I didn’t need to turn around to know who had arrived. I had felt him long before his scent reached the territory. Power recognized power. And his was impossible to ignore. A slow smile spread across my face.
“Well,” I muttered under my breath. “That didn’t take long.”
Behind me, several of Leonidas’ wolves stiffened as the heavy footsteps crossed the courtyard stones. No one dared move. No one dared speak. Because the presence walking toward us carried the same kind of dominance that only one thing in the wolf world could command. An Alpha. Not just any Alpha. A dangerous one.
I finally turned. The wolves parted instinctively as he approached. Tall. Broad-shouldered. Dark hair brushing his collar. His movements were calm, controlled—almost lazy. But there was nothing lazy about the power rolling off him. His eyes scanned the courtyard once before settling on me. Recognition flashed briefly in his gaze.
“Kael.”
His voice was low. Even. Unimpressed. I chuckled.
“Asher”
The tension in the courtyard instantly doubled. Several wolves shifted uneasily. Leonidas’ golden eyes narrowed as he watched the exchange carefully. Ah. So the proud Alpha of this territory had just realized something. He wasn’t dealing with one problem. He was dealing with two.
Asher stopped a few yards away from me. His posture was relaxed. Too relaxed. But I knew better. Rowan didn’t move like that unless he was ready to kill someone in the next second. His gaze flicked briefly toward Leonidas. Then—toward the girl standing behind him. Sable. The moment Rowan’s eyes landed on her… everything changed. The calm expression on his face cracked. Just slightly. But I saw it. And the slow smile on my face widened. There it was. The reaction I had been waiting for.
“So it’s true,” Asher murmured quietly. Leonidas immediately stepped in front of her, his body blocking Asher’s view. Protective. Possessive. His wolf was practically vibrating with aggression.
“You’ve seen enough,” Leonidas growled.
Asher’s eyes lifted slowly back to him. For a moment, the two Alphas simply stared at each other. Dominance radiated from both of them. The air felt heavy. Charged. Like a storm about to break. But Rowan didn’t challenge him. Not yet. Instead, he looked at me again.
“You found her first.”
I shrugged casually. “Luck.”
His eyes narrowed slightly. “You don’t believe in luck.”
I chuckled. “Maybe the Omega Queen favors me.”
At the mention of that title, several wolves in the courtyard shifted nervously. The words carried weight now. Because everyone here had felt her power.
Asjer's gaze flicked past Leonidas again, trying to glimpse the girl behind him. “You’re hiding her.”
Leonidas’ claws extended instantly. “I’m protecting her.”
Asher tilted his head slightly. “From him?” He nodded toward me.
I laughed. “That hurts.”
Leonidas didn’t look amused. “State your business and leave.”
Asher ignored the order completely. Instead, he took one slow step forward. Leonidas moved immediately to block him. The growl that erupted from his chest shook the courtyard. “Don’t.”
Asher stopped. His expression remained calm. But the tension in the air thickened.
“You misunderstand me,” Asher said quietly. “I didn’t come here to fight.”
I snorted. “Liar.”
Asher didn’t even look at me. His eyes remained locked on Leonidas. “I came to see if the stories were true.”
Leonidas’ voice dropped dangerously. “They are.”
For a moment, silence fell again. Then Asher exhaled slowly. “So the Omega Queen has truly returned.”
Behind Leonidas, I saw a flicker of silver light. Sable. Her power was stirring again. Interesting. Three Alphas standing within a few yards of her. That kind of pressure would trigger anyone’s instincts.
Asher noticed it too. His eyes sharpened slightly. “Her power is unstable.”
Leonidas’ jaw clenched. “She’s learning.”
Asher nodded once. “Good.”
Leonidas frowned. “What?”
“Because if she wasn’t…” Asher’s gaze darkened. “…this place would already be ashes.”
I chuckled softly. “See? He understands.”
Leonidas shot me a murderous glare. “Neither of you are taking her.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Confident.”
“Certain.”
Asher watched the exchange quietly. Then he asked a simple question. “Does she know?”
Leonidas frowned. “Know what?”
Asher's voice remained calm. “That every Alpha within a hundred miles felt her awakening.”
The courtyard went still again. Leonidas’ expression darkened. “You’re lying.”
I laughed again. “Oh, he’s not.”
Leonidas’ gaze snapped toward me. “You knew?”
“Of course.” I tilted my head toward the dark forest surrounding the territory. “Listen.”
For a moment, nothing happened. Then—a howl echoed across the mountains. Long. Deep. Primal. Not close. But not far either. Another howl answered it. Then another. Different directions. Different packs. The wolves in the courtyard shifted uneasily. Fear spread across several faces. Leonidas’ shoulders tensed.
Asher crossed his arms calmly. “They’re coming.”
Leonidas looked ready to explode. “You planned this.”
Asher shook his head. “No.” His gaze flicked toward Sable again. “She did.”
Behind Leonidas, the silver glow around the girl grew slightly brighter. My wolf stirred with excitement. The Omega Queen. Calling the wolf world without even realizing it.
Asher stepped back slightly. His eyes remained fixed on her. “She doesn’t understand what she’s done.”
“No,” Leonidas growled. “But I do.”
Asher looked at him again. “Then you understand what happens next.”
Leonidas didn’t answer. Because we all knew the truth. The war Kael had mentioned earlier wasn’t a threat anymore. It was inevitable.
Another howl echoed across the mountains. Closer this time. My smile slowly returned. “Well,” I said softly. “This just got interesting.”
Leonidas glared at both of us. “Leave.”
Asher didn’t move. Neither did I. Because we could all feel it now. The shifting balance of power. The storm forming around one girl.
Asher's voice broke the silence again. Quiet. Almost thoughtful. “You think you can protect her from all of us?”
Leonidas didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”
For a moment, Asher simply studied him. Then he smiled slightly. Not mocking. Not hostile. Just… amused. “You’re going to try.”
Another howl echoed through the mountains. This one was much closer. Too close. And for the first time since stepping into the courtyard… even Leonidas looked uneasy.
Because suddenly—it wasn’t just three Alphas standing in the territory anymore. And we all realized the same terrifying thing at the same time. The others had finally arrived.