Kael could not move.
“My father is dead.
His mother’s voice boomed from under the mountain.
“No, Kael,” he said.
The hand on the edge of the crack clenched.
“He was never dead.”
Kael’s breath became shallow.
Lyra caught his arm.
“Kael…”
He hardly heard her.
“You cannot do that.”
The first Alpha looked into the blackness.
His face was drained of all color.
Kael saw it.
You know him.”
The First Alpha didn’t answer.
Kael seized his collar.
“You know my father.”
“I knew him. Who is he?”
The first Alpha’s eyes were fixed on the crack.
“The last time I saw him, he was already on the throne.
Kael’s fingers tightened.
“You said the throne was made by the First Luna.”
It was.”
“Then how can my father sit on it?”
The first Alpha stared at him.
“Because your father became what the throne required.”
From below them came a deep growl.
The hand was missing.
The crack closed.
Kael pulled back.
No. Eren grabbed his hand suddenly.
“Dad.
Kael looked down.
Eren’s face turned pale.
“I remember him.
Kael stopped.
“You’ve seen my dad?”
Eren nodded his head”In the place past the rift.”
“What did he look like?”
Eren swallowed.
He looked like you.
Kael’s heart stopped.
“Older though.”
Lyra’s eyes flew open
“Did he wear a crown?”
Eren nodded.
And his eyes?
“Silver.”
The first Alpha shut his eyes.
Kael looked at the man.
“Tell me the truth.
The first Alpha made no reply.
Kael’s aura flared up.
“Tell me!
“He is the Shadow Alpha.”
Kael’s face fell.
“That’s my title.”
“No, not initially.
The first Alpha looked him in the eye.
“You inherited it in your bloodline.”
Kael shook his head.
“From him ?
Yes.
“Then why was I kicked out?”
The first Alpha failed.
“Because he told me to.”
Kael froze up.
My father disowned me?
“Yes.
“Why?
“Because you wouldn’t be like him.”
The words hurt more than a blow.
Kael thought back to his childhood.
His father’s cold eyes.
The coaching.
The expectations are limitless.
The day Kael refused to kill a wounded wolf in his first test.
His father’s disappointment.
His last words.
A king who is not cruel is not a king.
Kael had assumed the words were of a dead man.
Now he knew.
His father wasn’t dead.
He had simply vanished.
Kael glanced at Lyra.
“Seven years ago now…
She gave a nod.
The snub.
The first Alpha’s face darkened.
“We had to break your mate bond for your father.”
“Why?”
“For the Moonveil bloodline was a threat to his control.
“Then why did he need Eren?”
The first Alpha glanced at her.
“He did not.”
Kael frowned.
What?”
“You had to have him.
Lyra’s face went hard.
“Me?”
“The moment you bonded to Kael, the blood of the First Luna stirred.
Lyra looked at her hands.
“So he played us. Yes. Why?”
The first Alpha looked at the sealed crack.
“Because your blood is capable of unlocking the throne.”
Kael narrowed his eyes.
“And what about Eren?”
He can control it.
Kael’s jaw clenched.
“So my dad wants Lyra to open the throne and for Eren to use it.”
“Sure.”
And what does he want from me?
The first Alpha glanced at Kael.
“Your blood.
A cold silence fell over them.
The wolf of Kael growled.
“Why?
“Because you’re his heir.”
Kael shook his head.
“No.”
The first Alpha went on.
“You are the only one who can take his place.
Kael’s eyes were hardening.
“I don’t want his throne.”
That’s why he picked you.
Lyra stepped forward.
“What if Kael says no?”
The first Alpha said in a soft voice.
He’ll murder you.
Kael’s face shifted.
“He’ll be after Lyra.”
And Eren.
Kael looked to his son.
Eren stared at the ground.
“Dad…
Kael fell to his knees.
“What is it?
Eren pointed at his own shadow.
“Someone’s standing there.
Kael looked.
Not a thing.
Then the shadow shifted.
Kael pulled Eren behind him immediately.
“Don’t come in, Lyra.
The shadow crept across the floor.
I saw a man looking down.
Tall.
Wide.
Crowned
Kael ceased to breathe.
The figure said.
“You’ve always been a protector.”
That voice.
Kael knew it.
He’d known it in nightmares ever since he was a child.
“Dad.
The outline smiled.
“My boy.”
Kael’s claws flashed out
“Show yourself.
“You’re not ready yet.
“I’m ready enough to kill you .
A silent laugh rang out round the mountain.
“You still have your mother’s temper.
Kael moved forward.
Where are you at?
The shadow pointed at Lyra.
“She’s the gate.
Then to Eren.
‘He’s the key.
The shadow finally pointed at Kael.
“And you–”
The shadow halted.
“…are the price.”
Lyra took Kael’s hand.
“No. The shadow chuckled.
You can’t stop what has already begun.
Kael’s aura blew up.
“I did it once.”
“You don’t remember.
“What?”
You didn’t stop the throne 7 years ago.”
The shadow was getting bigger.
“You did,” he said.
Kael went pale.
“That wasn’t me.”
It was.”
“I was saving Lyra.”
“Uh-uh.
The shadow’s voice was cold now.
“You did what I told you.
Kael staggered back.
Memories flooded suddenly into his mind.
A black room.
A crown.
Blood on his hands.
Lyra scream.
His own voice saying:
I do not recognize you.
Kael clasped his head.
“No…
Lyra ran up to him.
Kael!
“I remember.
“What’s?”
Kael looked at her.
Horror was in his eyes.
I didn’t have to reject you.
Lyra stopped moving.
“What do you mean?”
Kael had trouble breathing.
“I remember doing that.”
Lyra’s expression fell.
“No,”
I remember looking at you.
He shut his eyes.
“I remember saying the words.
Lyra pulled back.
The shadow laughed.
“And now you understand why.”
Kael opened his eyes.
“Why?
The shadow replied.
“Because I gave you a choice.”
Kael’s blood ran cold.
“Which option?
The shadow came closer.
“Your life . . .”
Then it pointed toward Lyra.
“…or hers.”
Lyra’s mouth fell open.
Kael peered into the darkness.
“You said you’d kill her.”
“I did.
I decided to say no to her.
“Yeah.”
Kael’s fists trembled.
“You lied to me about everything.
“No. The shadow grinned.
“I gave you exactly what you asked for.”
Kael scowled.
What did I want to do?
“Save her.”
The room was shaken suddenly.
The shadow began to lighten.
Kael was gone.
“Hold it!
The voice rang out over the mountain.
“Join me at the throne,”
Kael’s eyes were on fire.
“Why?
The answer was a whisper.
Because your mate has already opened the door.
Kael spun.
Lyra was standing absolutely motionless.
The silver mark on her forehead was different, though.
It was not bright any more.
It’s bleeding.
Lyra stared at Kael in terror.
“Kael…
He rushed to her.
“What’s the matter?”
She dropped her gaze.
Blood ran from the symbol in a thin line.
Then she said softly:
“I can see the throne.
Kael stopped.
“Where?”
Lyra stared slowly at his back.
Inside your heart.