‘Let’s kill our dad.’
The words echoed in the cave.
Kael looked at the two boys.
For a moment he was unable to move.
Then his wolf let loose a roar.
They aren’t our children.
Kael made fists of his hands.
“Lyra, get behind me.
She did not stir.
So instead, she stepped forward.
“Eren.
Both the boys looked at her.
The shift in their faces.
The coldness went away.
They were frightened children again, for a split second.
“Mother …”
Lyra’s heart broke.
She looked up at Kael.
“They are fighting it.”
Kael nodded slowly.
“I know.”
The woman in black laughed.
“You still think you can save them.”
Kael’s eyes locked with hers.
“I will kill anything that tries to take my sons away from me.”
“Even if your sons are trying to kill you?”
Kael did not wait.
“Particularly then.”
The woman lifted her hand.
The mountain trembled.
Suddenly the boys screamed.
Veins black as night crept up their necks.
“Daddy!
Both voices were hurting.
Kael went for it.
He crashed into an unseen wall of force.
He smashed into the wall of the cave.
“Kael!”
Lyra ran to his.
The woman caught her by the wrist.
“You’re not going anywhere.”
The silver eyes glistened.
The woman let her go, right then and there.
She drew back.
“What are you?””
Lyra looked down at her hand.
“I don’t know.
An Alpha appeared first, at the cave mouth.
“Now you see.”
Lyra spun around.
“You knew it was going to happen.
I knew the blood would rise.
“You knew my kids would be used.”
His face went hard.
“They’re not being used.”
Kael sat up.
’What are they then?’
The first Alpha looked toward the boys.
The keys.
Kael’s expression darkened.
They’re children.
“They were born in a war that started before you were born.
Kael moved toward him.
“I don’t care how old your war is.
His voice lowered.
They’re my children.
The first Alpha’s silver eyes met his.
“And that’s exactly why you’re dangerous.”
Kael halted.
The first Alpha proceeded.
You keep picking them over the throne.
Why, of course I do.
That choice is what broke the old cycle.
Kael scowled.
“What cycle?
The first Alpha pointed at Lyra.
“The Luna picks the heir.”
Then to Kael.
“The Shadow Alpha guards him.”
His eyes moved to the two boys.
“And the real Alpha King eats him.”
Lyra’s face turned white.
“You want Eren.
“Not at all.”
The first Alpha glanced at her.
“I want what Eren’s got.”
Suddenly one of the boys fell down.
“Eren!”
The other boy caught Kael by the arm.
“No!”
Kael stared at him.
“Why?
The boy’s eyes filled with tears.
“Because if you touch him he’ll wake up.
Kael released him, slowly.
What does that mean?
He pointed at his brother, the boy.
“Not sleeping,” said he.
There was a low growl from the ground.
The boy said in a whisper:
“He has something in him.”
Kael’s face changed.
He glanced at the other child.
“—And you?”
The boy swallowed hard.
“I don’t know what I am now.”
Lyra knelt down beside him.
Thou art my son.
He looked at her.
“Are you certain?”
“Yes.
“How?”
Lyra caressed his cheek.
The silver mark on her forehead shone.
The boy shouted suddenly.
An explosion of silver light blew out of him.
The black veins disappeared.
He dropped down into Lyra’s arms.
“Eren!
Kael fell down beside them.
And the child’s eyes opened.
“Dad…”
Kael reached for him.
“I am here.
Eren’s fingers fluttered on Kael’s chest.
“Don’t let him take me.”
“Who?” “
Eren’s gaze moved to the other boy.
“Him.
Kael spun around.
The second boy stopped.
His eyes were different.
They were black once more.
The woman in black smiled.
“You’ve found the real one at last.”
Kael’s jaw clenched.
“You’re lying.”
“I am?”
She gestured to the boy in Kael’s arms.
“Ask him what he did seven years ago,”
Kael glanced down.
Eren?
The boy was still.
“What’s wrong, Eren?”
And his lips trembled.
“I remember,
Lyra felt her breath catch.
“What?”
Eren looked toward her.
You left me behind.
Kael halted.
“Wha-”
“Not you, Pa.”
Eren’s eyes welled up with tears.
“Mom.
Lyra’s face turned white.
“I’d never leave you.”
“Did you.”
“Not at all.
“I remember.”
Kael looked from one to the other.
“Eren, what do you remember?”
The boy shut his eyes.
I was little.
His voice cracked.
“Someone led me into the woods.
Lyra put a hand over her mouth.
There was a woman.
Kael’s heart began to race.
“Which woman?
Eren opened his eyes.
“She resembled Mother.
Lyra stopped.
The woman in black smiled.
Kael turned slowly toward her.
“YOU.”
She didn’t say no.
I wore her face.
“You were there.”
“Yes.”
“Seven years ago?
“Yes,
Kael walked over to her.
“You flirted with the rejection.
“I helped make it.”
Lyra’s eyes sparked with fury.
“Why?
The woman stared at her.
“Because you weren’t supposed to remember him.
Kael’s expression hardened.
“Who is it?
The woman pointed toward Eren.
Your son.
Then she pointed to the second boy.
“His sibling.
Kael looked at them.
“Why not split them?”
“Because together they can destroy the throne.”
Suddenly the first Alpha stepped forward.
“Cut it out.
The woman giggled.
“You are too late.”
The mountain shook like hell.
The walls divide.
A voice bellowed from above, deep and rich.
“THE HEIRS HAVE AWOKEN.”
The first Alpha raised his eyes.
His expression altered.
So here it is.
Kael got to his feet.
“What is there?”
The first Alpha glanced at him.
“The true master of the throne.
Kael felt his blood run cold.
“But I thought you were the first Alpha.
“I am,” he said.
“Then who’s above you?
The first Alpha said nothing.
The woman in black did.
“The one who made the first Alpha.”
Silence.
Even Kael’s wolf grew silent.
The first Alpha looked at the two boys.
Then at Lyra.
Then at Kael.
“You’ve got one shot.
Kael pushed Eren harder.
What chance?
“Choose which heir you will save.”
Kael’s face went hard.
I told you that already.
He started toward the two boys.
‘I will not choose.
The first Alpha narrowed his eyes.
‘Then they will both die,’
Kael looked at him.
Not at all.
His aura blasted out of the cave.
“First I shall destroy the throne.
Now for the first time the first Alpha smiled.
“That’s what I was hoping you’d say.”
And then the mountain split open.
A great black throne rose from the earth.
There was something on it.
Kael could not see its face.
But he sensed its presence.
Every bone in his body was screaming.
Then the figure rose up slowly.
Its voice rumbled in the mountain.
“Veyron Kael.”
Kael stopped.
The figure moved forward.
“You’re finally home.”
And behind Kael, Lyra whispered in fear.
“Kael…”
He looked around.
The two boys had disappeared.
On the ground there were only two glowing prints of silver hands.