Chapter 4 The Return

But Lydia dragged him off to hunt in the woods. They didn't return until the Blood Moon sank below the horizon, their scents mingled. All night, I howled my agony in the most primal way, until my throat bled. The next day, we set off for Silver-moon territory. Kaelen scouted ahead, his sleek black fur gleaming in the sunlight. Lydia and I shared a transport wagon.

Lydia stared greedily at Kaelen, her desire for conquest naked in her eyes. "Your pack runs differently. Kaelen moves like a true king. It makes me want to submit utterly." She shoved open the wagon window, calling out excitedly: "Kaelen! I can't stand this damned cage! You are my fated Mate—let me run beside you!"

My chest felt ripped open by claws. Silver-moon she-wolves were forbidden from running in wolf form except as warriors. Once mated, Lydia would have to obey our pack laws. I had begged Kaelen countless times to let me run beside him, to feel the wind through my fur. He had always refused coldly, saying I was too weak, unworthy.

But now Kaelen slowed his pace. Looking back, his eyes held a gentleness I'd never seen: "Of course, my Mate."

My Mate. The words pierced my heart like silver needles. He caught Lydia as she leaped from the wagon. She shifted mid-air—a beautiful silver she-wolf landing gracefully on Kaelen's broad back. Watching them run side by side like mythical lovers shattered me completely. I huddled alone inside the wagon. Though the thick walls blocked the wind and snow, a bone-deep cold seeped into me.

That night, as we camped, Lydia rose to dance for Kaelen. Firelight licked her perfect form; every movement radiated raw, primal seduction. It was pure Iron-claw style—wild, untamed, radiating conquest. Guards growled their appreciation, eyes burning with lust. I sat alone, invisible.

After the dance, Lydia melted into Kaelen's arms, her gaze sharp and hungry as a hawk's. "My Alpha, I danced the Iron-claw courtship dance for you. Am I beautiful?"

Moonlight silvered them, perfect like divine lovers. I watched, my throat clenched too tight to make a sound, only a silent, agonized whimper echoing within.

Before Kaelen could answer, wild howls tore through the night from the distance. They were thick with killing intent. The temperature plummeted; the scent of death filled the air. Countless pairs of green eyes glowed in the darkness like hellish demons. We were surrounded.

"Wild wolves!" someone screamed in terror.

"Mount up! Everyone flee!" Kaelen's command was thunder.

These wolves feared no firelight. They charged like mad things, eyes filled with bloodlust. When the alpha shot like a cannonball toward Kaelen, I was thrown violently back into the wagon by the impact. Lydia bravely intercepted the beast. "Kaelen, behind you!"

The beast's claws tore through her back, instantly staining her armor crimson. Kaelen roared, killing the alpha wolf in a single blow. With their leader dead, the wild pack retreated like a receding tide. We fled through blood and fire all night, reaching safety only at dawn. In a room, Lydia sat half-naked on the bed edge as I carefully cleaned her wounds.

Kaelen entered with herbs and bandages. "Move aside."

His voice cut like an icy blade. I silently retreated to a corner. Kaelen gently pushed aside her blood-soaked tunic, applying precious healing salve to her wounds. Lydia hissed in pain, and he tenderly blew on the injury as if tending the most precious treasure.

"There are no proper healers in this wilderness. This will have to suffice until we reach Silver-moon City." His rough yet gentle fingers traced her spine, carefully spreading the ointment over every inch.

Lydia turned to face him, pain replaced by a different intensity, her eyes burning with naked desire. "In Iron-claw, when a male sees his mate naked, he must complete the claiming mark immediately. We have already had the bonding ceremony."

Kaelen's hand froze mid-air. Lydia turned fully, her torn clothes revealing her perfect form. She pushed Kaelen onto the bed, straddling him like a conqueror, her gaze fervent and worshipful.