My limbs were heavy, my throat raw, and every nerve in my body still hummed from the aftermath of my outburst. The memory of energy crackling through me, of Cassian and Viktor being forced back by sheer force, but I didn't know how I'd done it. I didn't know what I had done.
I blinked against the dim glow of firelight, my surroundings slowly taking shape. I was in Cassian's quarters, recognizable by the scent clinging to every surface, clean pine and stormwinds, and I wasn't alone.
Cassian sat at my bedside, his knuckles white where they clenched the armrest of his chair. His hair was tousled like he'd been pulling at it, his eyes shadowed and rimmed red like he hadn't slept in days.
"Hey," I croaked, my voice barely louder than a breath.
He jerked upright, leaning forward so quickly the chair creaked. "You're awake," he exhaled, and I could tell he'd been holding that breath for a long time.
"What happened?" I asked, my throat dry, my mind scattered. "Did I…hurt you?"
"No," he said quickly, shaking his head. "You didn't hurt me."
I frowned. "I felt everything… something snapped inside me, Cassian. That wasn't normal."
He hesitated, and then with a sigh, he reached for the glass of water on the nightstand and helped me sit up slowly. "You were unconscious for three days," he said. "And while you were out… things got worse."
The water helped soothe my throat, but not the anxiety growing in my chest. "Worse how?"
"You don't remember?" He asked and I shook my head.
His jaw tightened. "The moment you passed out, I felt it—something shifted in the pack's energy. And then they came."
I stilled. "Who?"
"I don't know," he admitted, voice low. "But they weren't from this pack. They wore hoods and carried strange markings—symbols I've never seen before. They came into the stronghold in the middle of the night. Slipped past our outer guards like shadows."
My stomach turned. "How far did they get?"
He looked at me for a long moment before speaking. "Your room."
I couldn't breathe.
"I felt it," he said. "Woke up out of nowhere with my mark burning like fire. I knew something was wrong. When I got to your quarters, you weren't alone."
I gripped the blanket. "What did they do?"
"They hadn't touched you yet. You were lying there, still, like they were trying to figure out how to move you without setting off the wards. I didn't give them the chance." His voice dropped to a growl. "I killed two of them before they even turned around."
"And the others?"
"They fled," he said grimly. "But not before one of them said something to me. He said, 'The Vessel belongs to us now. You're too late.'"
The room felt colder suddenly, like the shadows had seeped into the walls.
"I've doubled security," Cassian continued. "Reinforced your room, moved you here, near the inner sanctum where the wards are strongest. No one will get to you again."
"They knew what I am," I whispered. "The Vessel…"
He nodded. "They know more than we do. Which means someone's been feeding them information."
"From inside Bloodfang?"
"That's what I'm trying to find out."
I leaned back against the pillows, mind racing. "What do they want with me?"
"I think it's about the prophecy," he said carefully. "They want control over you because they believe you're the key to… something. Power. Change. Maybe even war."
I closed my eyes, the weight of everything pressing down on me again. "I didn't ask for this."
"No one ever does," he murmured.
We sat in silence for a long moment. Then I looked at him. "Cassian, what if I am dangerous?"
"You are," he said without hesitation. "But so am I. So is every Alpha and warrior in this pack. That doesn't mean you're a threat."
His certainty wrapped around me like a cloak, warm and reassuring.
"You saved me," I said.
"You've saved me more times than I can count."
I smiled faintly. "You're not going to start getting sentimental on me, are you?"
"Too late."
A knock interrupted the moment. One of Cassian's guards stepped in, eyes avoiding mine.
"Alpha," he said. "Viktor's returned. He wants to speak with you."
I tensed, but Cassian placed a hand gently on my arm. "Stay here. I'll handle it."
"No," I said, sitting up straighter. "I need to know what he wants."
Cassian hesitated but eventually nodded. "Alright. But stay close to me."
*******
Viktor stood in the war room like he owned it. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes. Those cold, calculating eyes—met mine the moment we stepped in.
"You're awake," he said. "Good. I was beginning to think your powers had eaten you alive."
"What do you want?" Cassian growled, stepping between us.
"I came to make an offer."
"We've been through this," I said.
"No," Viktor said calmly. "This time it's different. You're no longer just some omega with a hidden past. You're the center of a prophecy. The entire supernatural world will come for you soon enough."
"I'm aware," I said dryly.
"Then join me," Viktor said. "Come willingly. We'll lead together. I can protect you in ways Cassian never will."
Cassian's fists clenched. "Get out."
"Think about it," Viktor said, ignoring him. His gaze shifted back to me. "You were never meant to be just his mate, Kieran. You were meant for more."
He left without another word.
Cassian turned to me, jaw tight. "Don't listen to him."
"I'm not," I said honestly. "But we need to be ready. He's not the only one watching."
****
Later that night, I couldn't sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw hooded figures, felt their presence in my room, heard that ominous voice whispering the Vessel belongs to us.
I stepped out into the cold hallway, walking aimlessly through the stronghold. The walls felt like they were closing in. My power—whatever it was—buzzed beneath my skin like an itch I couldn't scratch.
At the training yard, I found Cassian alone, shirt off, hands bloodied from punching a wooden post wrapped in cloth.
"Couldn't sleep either?" I asked.
He looked at me, sweat dripping from his temple. "No."
I walked closer, stopping just a few feet away. "What happens now?"
"We train," he said. "We figure out what's coming. And we stop it before it takes you away from me again."
His voice cracked at the end, barely noticeable, but it hit me like a punch.
"You're not going to lose me," I said.
"You almost did."
I reached for his hand, wrapping mine around his bloodied knuckles. "Next time, I'll fight too."
He looked down at our hands. "You scare me, Kieran."
I swallowed. "Because of what I am?"
"No. Because I can't protect you from everything. And I don't know what I'll become if I fail."
For once, I didn't have anything to say. So I just stood there, holding onto him, praying that whatever came next—we'd face it together.