The Prophecy Awakens

The room still pulsed with the remnants of power, an unnatural force that clung to the air like the aftermath of a violent storm. My warriors were picking themselves off the floor, dazed and wary, their eyes flickering between me and the omega who had just sent me flying across the room. Kieran.

An omega should not be capable of that. No one should be capable of that.

The moment Kieran's power slammed into me, I knew something was wrong. No omega should have the strength to throw back an Alpha—not even a fated mate. My body still buzzed from the impact, the mate bond thrumming between us, but I forced myself to push it aside.

Kieran was dangerous.

I clenched my fists, forcing my breathing to even out. The mate bond was a chain around my throat, pulling tighter with each second I spent in his presence. My wolf howled for me to claim him, to mark him, but rage and confusion drowned out the primal instinct.

Kieran was watching me too, his chest heaving, his body trembling from the power still burning beneath his skin. He looked just as stunned as everyone else. Maybe more.

"Take him to the dungeons," I ordered, my voice sharp as a blade.

The warriors hesitated. They had just seen him throw me—an Alpha—like I was nothing more than a leaf in the wind. But fear of disobedience won over hesitation, and they moved in, shackles in hand.

Kieran flinched, eyes darting around as if calculating an escape route.

"You lay one hand on me, and I swear I'll—"

"You'll what?" I interrupted, stepping forward. "Throw another tantrum? Blast us across the room again?"

His jaw clenched, but he said nothing. The warriors seized him, binding his wrists in silver. He gasped, his body jolting as the metal sizzled against his skin.

I turned away before I could acknowledge the flicker of guilt in my gut.

I stormed through the halls of the Bloodfang stronghold, the weight of what had just happened pressing down on me. The Elders needed to hear of this. If there was even a chance that Kieran's return meant something more, I needed answers before making any rash decisions.

The Elders were already waiting when I entered the dimly lit chamber, their faces etched with concern.

"You felt it, didn't you?" Elder Marcellus, the oldest among them, leaned forward, his milky eyes sharp despite his age. "The power he wields is unnatural."

I clenched my jaw. "He's my mate."

Silence followed, heavy and charged. The Elders exchanged glances, but none looked surprised.

Elder Helena sighed. "Then fate truly has a cruel sense of humor."

I narrowed my eyes. "You knew?"

"We suspected," Marcellus admitted. "The prophecy speaks of a rogue omega, one with the power to either unite or destroy. We always believed it to be myth, but if Kieran has returned… and if he possesses power strong enough to challenge you…" He trailed off, his meaning clear.

"You think he's the one from the prophecy."

"We think it's possible," Helena corrected. "Which means you must tread carefully."

Tread carefully? My instincts screamed at me to eliminate any threat to the pack, even if that threat came in the form of my mate. But…

I let out a sharp breath. "You're saying I should kill him."

"Not yet." Marcellus's gaze was unreadable. "If he is the one, then there will be signs. His power will continue to grow. And if he is meant to bring destruction—"

"I won't let it happen," I cut in. "Bloodfang is mine to protect."

Helena's voice softened. "Then be sure, Cassian. Because if he truly is the omega from the prophecy, there may come a time when you have no choice but to end him."

Their words echoed in my mind as I left the chamber, my steps heavier than before. I had spent years hunting Kieran, believing him a traitor. Now, I had to consider something even worse: that he might be a danger not just to me, but to everyone.

By the time I reached the dungeons, my temper was barely leashed. Kieran sat against the cold stone wall, chains binding his wrists and ankles. Despite the restraints, he looked almost… defiant. Like he wasn't afraid of me.

His golden eyes flicked up to meet mine, and my chest tightened at the pull of the bond. I shoved it down. "You're hiding something."

Kieran scoffed. "Oh? What gave it away?"

I grabbed him by the collar, hauling him up against the wall. "No more games."

"Careful, Alpha," he said mockingly. "Your mate bond is showing."

A growl rumbled in my throat. "I met with the Elders."

That wiped the smirk off his face.

"They think you might be the omega from the prophecy."

Kieran's brows furrowed. "That old story?"

I watched him carefully. He didn't seem surprised—just tired. "You knew."

"I've heard it before," he admitted. "It's nonsense."

"Then explain how you threw me across the room."

Silence stretched between us. Kieran looked away first, his fingers flexing against the chains. "I don't know."

I wasn't sure if I believed him. But there was something in his expression that made me hesitate. Fear? Uncertainty?

I exhaled sharply. "I should kill you."

His jaw tightened, but he didn't look surprised. "Then do it."

The words hit me harder than they should have. Something inside me rebelled at the thought. The mate bond? Or something else?

I let him go roughly. "Not yet."

Kieran rubbed his wrists where the chains dug into his skin. "So what's your plan? Keep me locked up like a caged animal?"

I turned away, unwilling to meet his gaze. "Until I know what you are? Yes."

Kieran's laugh was bitter. "You act like I asked for this."

I tensed. "Then tell me what's happening to you."

"If I knew, don't you think I'd have fixed it by now?" he snapped. "Do you think I like feeling like my body is trying to rip itself apart?"

That gave me pause. There was real frustration in his voice—pain, even. The mate bond pulled at me again, but I shoved it down.

I needed answers. I needed control.

I turned back to him and spoke as I walked away. "Then I'll get my answers another way."

The execution chamber was prepared quickly. Silver restraints. A ceremonial blade. Warriors stood at attention, their gazes unreadable. Some looked uneasy. Others relieved.

Kieran was brought in, his steps slow, his expression unreadable.

When our eyes met, something inside me twisted. The bond flared, stronger than ever. He was mine. And I was about to end him.

He was brought to his knees, and the warrior lifted the blade. He didn't flinch and I wanted to turn away. 

"Wait—,"

The silver touched his skin—

A blinding explosion of power erupted.

A shockwave blasted through the chamber, sending warriors flying, knocking me to my knees. The world tilted. Darkness clawed at the edges of my vision.

The ground trembled, and the torches lining the walls flickered wildly before being snuffed out entirely. A surge of energy crackled through the air, raw and untamed.

I barely had time to register the pain before everything went dark.