Chapter 23 Lessons in Power
The Council chamber doors closed behind them, muffling the chaos of voices inside.
Kael didn’t speak.
Didn’t look back.
Didn’t slow his pace until they reached the upper training level — a wide, stone platform open to the morning sky.
Only then did he stop.
Still holding Lina’s hand.
His chest rose and fell, the last remnants of his fury simmering beneath his skin like banked fire.
Riven and Yara exchanged a look, then quietly drifted to the far edge, giving them space.
Kael finally faced her.
“Lina,” he said quietly, “do you trust me?”
She blinked. “Yes.”
“Good.”
His thumb brushed her knuckles.
“Because we’re going to train. Not for combat. Not for magic control. For something far more dangerous.”
A shiver slid through her spine. “What exactly?”
His golden eyes met hers without hesitation.
“The bond.”
Her breath caught.
Kael lifted his free hand — slowly, deliberately — and rested it just above her heart without touching her.
“You and I…”
He swallowed once.
“…are connected in a way the Veil can sense. And now, so can everyone else. If we don’t learn to control it, it’ll control us.”
Lina nodded, though her heart hammered painfully. “What do you need me to do?”
Kael stepped closer — close enough that she felt his heat, his presence, the pull of him like gravity.
“Don’t hold back.”
His voice dropped to a rumble.
“When the bond pulls, don’t resist it. Let it rise. Let your magic find mine.”
“That’s dangerous.”
“That’s why we do it together.”
She inhaled slowly. “Show me.”
Kael exhaled and let his wolf surface — not fully, just enough for the air to thicken around him, heat rippling off his skin like sunlight.
“Close your eyes,” he murmured.
She did.
“Now,” he whispered, “reach.”
She reached for her magic — the silver hum in her chest — and let it flow outward, brushing against the spark of gold in Kael’s.
A soft crackle of energy licked along her skin.
Kael inhaled sharply. “Good… just like that.”
“It’s strong,” she whispered.
“It’s us.”
The air thickened.
Magic swirled between their bodies.
Heat rose along her spine.
Lina felt Kael’s wolf pressing gently into her energy — curious, fierce, protective.
Her heart stumbled.
“Kael—”
“Don’t pull back.”
His voice was soft but commanding.
“Let the bond speak.”
Her magic hesitated — then surged forward.
The connection snapped into place with a force that nearly stole her breath.
Images flashed across her mind:
Kael standing over her in the sanctum.
Kael holding her as she screamed in the night.
Kael stepping between her and every threat.
Kael choosing her — over the pack, the Council, everything.
Her eyes flew open.
Kael stood barely a handspan away.
His pupils were blown wide.
His breathing ragged.
He felt it too.
“Lina…” he murmured, voice rough with emotion he wasn’t hiding anymore.
Her fingers trembled.
She reached up — hesitantly — and brushed his chest.
Kael shuddered.
“That,” he whispered, “is the bond.”
She swallowed. “Is it always this strong?”
“It gets stronger every day.”
“Is that safe?”
He gave a small, humorless laugh. “Not even remotely.”
Before she could respond, a gust of wind swept across the platform — cold enough to burn.
Lina stiffened. “Kael—”
He felt it too.
His head snapped up, eyes narrowing.
Riven ran over. “Alpha — wards just flared. Something touched the perimeter.”
Kael moved instantly, stepping in front of Lina again.
“Where?” he demanded.
Riven swallowed. “Northern ridge. But… Kael…”
He hesitated.
“It wasn’t a creature.”
Lina’s stomach twisted. “Then what was it?”
Riven exchanged a glance with Yara. “Magic. A… call. Like something trying to signal.”
Lina’s pulse spiked. “From the rift?”
“No.”
Riven shook his head.
“From outside the forest. A long distance away.”
Kael’s eyes narrowed. “A witch?”
Yara bit her lip. “A powerful one. Maybe several.”
Lina felt the blood drain from her face. “The witches made the original pact with my family. If they’re calling…”
“They know something,” Kael finished. “Something important.”
Yara nodded. “And they want the Valerius heir.”
The wind shifted again.
Cold.
Soft.
Like fingers brushing her cheek.
Lina shivered. “They’re summoning me.”
Kael growled. “They’ll wait. You’re not leaving until we know why.”
She turned toward him slowly. “Kael… the witches don’t call often. And they certainly don’t call nicely. If they’re reaching across the forest like this, it means something is happening.”
“I know.” He stepped closer again, towering over her, wolf at the surface. “Which is exactly why you’re not going alone.”
She blinked. “You’d come with me?”
Kael’s expression shifted — softening and hardening all at once.
“Lina,” he murmured, “wherever you go, I go.”
Her breath caught. “Kael—”
“And I won’t let the witches take you. Not without knowing their intentions.”
Riven groaned. “We’re really going to the witches? Fantastic. I’ll start writing my will.”
Yara elbowed him. “Quit whining.”
Lina met Kael’s eyes. “They won’t hurt me.”
“They might try,” Kael said darkly. “And if they do, I’ll tear the forest down to keep you.”
Her heart twisted.
She whispered, “Kael… why do you care this much?”
His answer was instant.
“Because I choose you.”
He stepped closer.
“And I will keep choosing you.”
Her pulse stumbled.
The bond pulsed warm and bright between them, humming under her skin.
Kael lifted his hand — slowly — and brushed her cheek with the back of his fingers.
“Pack your things,” he murmured.
“Whatever the witches want… we’re facing it together.”