Chapter 150 The Midnight pact

Chapter 150 The Midnight pact
DAMIEN’S POV

The courtyard was quiet in the way only a locked-down pack could be.

Torches burned low along the perimeter walls, casting long, flickering shadows across the cobblestones. The air tasted crisp and cold, thick with the sharp scent of the metallic tang of weapons being checked one final time. Everyone moved with quiet, deadly purpose. No one wasted words.

Cassie stood near the main steps with her arms crossed tight, her jaw dropped Ophelia was finishing up her final instructions to her in a low, rushed voice. I stayed back, watching the way Ophelia's shoulders remained still even while she tried to sound steady and in control. Luna was already secured tightly against her chest in the leather carrier. The baby’s small, warm presence made everything around us feel more dangerous.

Ophelia turned back toward the rest of us, her expression unchanged.

mask the bonds,she said softly. won’t hold forever, but it should keep Morwen from flipping the switch while we're on the move.

She closed her eyes, taking a slow, deep breath. A warm, steady pulse radiated outward from her subtle, controlled, yet undeniably powerful. I felt the magic brush against the residual serum sitting deep in my blood like a faint, persistent itch beneath my skin. Around the courtyard, warriors shifted, exhaling as our connection to the wider pack dimmed into a quiet hum.

Kai didn't take his eyes off her for a single second. He stood nearby like a shadow possessive, hyper-alert, and ready to tear apart anything that moved wrong.

I waited until he was distracted with the horses near the gate.

Then I stepped forward, closing the distance between Ophelia and me.

She looked up at the sound of my boots on the cobblestone, the low torchlight catching the dark, tired edges beneath her eyes.

What is it, Damien? she asked.

The residual serum in my blood, I said, keeping my voice down, still active enough that Morwen’s commands might reach me before anyone else. If it comes to that, use me as a decoy. I can draw her attention and give you room to run.

Her face hardened instantly. Damien, no

I am already half-compromised, I pressed, stepping closer. You’re not. Neither is the child. the only logical move.

She opened her mouth to argue, but heavy footsteps cut through the quiet behind me.

Kai.

I didnt t turn around right away. I already knew the exact look he’d be wearing.

Explain,Kai said, his voice dropping into a low, dangerous growl.

I turned to face him squarely. offering to take the hit if the serum activates early.

Kai’s gold eyes flicked over my shoulder to Ophelia, then snapped back to mine. For a second, I braced for the inevitable explosion the shove, the threat, the possessive claim. Instead, he stepped right into my space until we were standing almost chest to chest.

Swear i he said, every word dripping with absolute authority.

I frowned, caught off guard. What?

Swear a blood oath,Kai commanded, his gaze locking onto mine like iron. If I fall out there, you keep her alive. No hesitation. No second thoughts. You put her life above yours without question.

The weight of the request landed heavier than any physical blow.

I glanced past his shoulder at Ophelia. She was watching both of us closely, one hand resting protectively over Luna’s sleeping form. There was no romantic opening in her expression for me. There was only deep trust, worry, and the quiet, undeniable knowledge of where her heart truly belonged.

I already knew that.

I had known it for a very long time.

I swear,I said.

Without breaking eye contact, Kai pulled a short hunting blade from his belt, sliced his palm, and held his hand out toward me. I drew my own knife, mirrored the cut, and grasped his hand. As our blood mingled, the magic of the oath settled into my chest like a heavy, freezing weight. Binding. Absolute. Final.

Ophelia looked between us, her voice barely a whisper in the dark. Both of you are complete idiots

Neither of us argued with her.

Ten minutes later, we rode out under the cover of a pitch-black sky.

The forest beyond the pack gates was thick, suffocating, and dead silent. Heavy clouds completely smothered the moon, leaving us in near darkness. The only sounds were the soft, rhythmic thud of hooves against damp soil and the occasional creak of leather saddles. I kept to the rear of the column, my senses stretched wide, the phantom sting of the blood oath burning faintly beneath my palm.

Up ahead, Seraphina rode near the front of our line.

Without warning, her horse suddenly reared hard on its hind legs, snapping its reins and nearly throwing her to the ground.

The animal rolled its head back, screaming a raw, unnatural sound that tore through the trees. In the faint starlight, I saw its eyes.

They had turned completely, pitch black.

Seraphina cursed, fighting with all her strength to keep control as the thrashing horse went wild beneath her. Surrounding us, the rest of the mounts whinnied nervously, stomping and backing away. Kai spun his horse around in an instant, his hand flying to the hilt of his sword.

The serum activation had already begun.