“KAEL!”
Lyra’s scream echoed through the chamber.
The crown-shaped brand on Kael’s chest burned as he fell to one knee.
His blood struck the stone.
The throne cracked open.
*CRACK!
And then there was a flash of silver energy through the mountain.
Each wolf fell to the ground.
Roderick was slammed against the wall.
The ancient Alpha staggered.
Kael looked at the blood on his hand.
He had expected to die.
But the mark had worn away.
The face of the old Alpha altered.
No.”
Kael gasped.
What’s that?
“You were meant to die.”
Kael regarded him.
But I did not.
The ancient Alpha’s face twisted in rage.
“Because you don’t know what you’ve done.”
Kael stood up slowly.
The pain in his chest persisted, but something within him had shifted.
Still cracked the throne.
Lyra dashed toward him
“Let me see.
Kael took her hand.
“I’m okay.”
“You’re bleeding,”
“Know.
Lyra had tears in her eyes.
“Don’t ever do that again.
Kael looked down on her.
“I thought that was the only way,”
“It wasn’t.”
Her voice cracked.
“You don’t get to decide that alone. Kael dropped his head. You’re right.”
Everything went quiet for a moment.
Then Eren yelled.
“Daddy!”
Kael whirled around.
The gate behind Eren was crumbling.
The boy was being drawn to it by black energy.
Kael moved instantly.
Eren!
He reached for his boy.
The old Alpha interrupted.
“You don’t take him.”
Kael’s eyes squinted.
“Go.”
“He is of the throne.”
“No. Kael’s aura ignited.
“He’s one of us.”
The old Alpha hit.
Their power hit one another.
The mountain jolted under the impact.
Kael was thrown back.
The old Alpha moved forward.
“You think your mate bond makes you strong?
Kael wiped blood from his mouth.
“No.”
He glanced at Lyra.
“It’s what I fight for.
Lyra stepped up beside him.
“And you’re not fighting alone,”»
They joined forces.
The energy of silver and black intertwined.
The smile had gone from the ancient Alpha.
“You are no match for me.
Lyra and Kael were like one being.
Kael got the first blow.
Lyra went after.
The ancient Alpha blocked both attacks, but was forced back by the impact of them.
He stared at them in disbelief.
“The bond…
Kael gave a nod.
“It was never broken.
The ancient Alpha’s face darkened.
And that was why you were a danger.
Eren yelled suddenly.
The gate lifted him up.
“Dad!
Kael glanced at him.
“Wait!
“I can’t!”
Lyra glanced at Kael.
“How?”
Eren replied.
“Together!
Kael looked at him.
“What?
Eren’s eyes glimmered silver.
“Mom. Opens it.”
His eyes moved to Kael.
“Dad shuts it.”
Kael knew.
“The bloodlines.
Eren nodded.
“The Moonborn & the Shadow Alpha.”
Lyra moved forward.
“And you?”
Eren smiled weakly
“I decide where it ends.”
Kael’s heart clenched.
“No.”
He glanced at Eren.
“You taught me that choices have consequences.”
Kael just shook his head.
I meant choices that don’t kill you.
Eren’s smile died.
“Then help me.”
Kael glanced at Lyra.
She nodded her head.
They moved as one.
Kael laid a hand on the gate.
She put hers down beside his.
Eren raised both his hands.
The mountain cried.
The black gate started to shrink.
The old Alpha roared.
“STOP!
He lunged at them.
Roderick was suddenly between him and the family.
The ancient Alpha looked.
You?
Roderick’s face was white.
“I served you, because I thought you would give our people power.
He looked over to Kael.
“But you never wanted to give anything to anybody.”
The ancient Alpha’s eyes flared.
“You dare to betray me?”
Roderick smiled a sour smile.
I should of done it years ago.
He was struck by the ancient Alpha.
Roderick slumped to the floor.
Kael kept his eyes on the gate.
“Roderick!”
Keep going!”
Roderick cleared his throat.
Finish it!
Kael pushed.
The crown-shaped mark on his chest started to glow.
Lyra screamed as the Moonveil symbol blossomed under her feet.
Eren’s eyes turned completely silver.
Then the three symbols joined together.
The gate started to fall.
The ancient Alpha halted abruptly.
“Nope.
Kael looked at him.
“Eh?”
The ancient Alpha looked at the symbols.
“You created a new bloodline.”
Kael scowled.
“What’s that mean?” he asked.
He heard the voice of his father behind him.
“That means the throne no longer has any hold on either of you.”
Kael spun around.
His father was wounded, but he was alive.
“You were right”, he said to her.
Kael looked at him.
“About what?
“You don’t need to become me.
His father looked at the throne falling apart.
“You were always supposed to end this.
Kael’s face hardened.
“Then help us.”
His father nodded his head.
He approached the throne.
The old Alpha suddenly got what he was going to do.
“No!”
Kael’s father glanced at his brother.
You blamed me for stealing your crown for centuries. Find the original chapter at g.com.
He slipped the silver ring from his finger.
“But you never understood.
The old Alpha took a step back.
“Doing what?”
His brother smiled a sad smile.
“Giving it back.
He pushed the ring against the broken throne.
The silver exploded in great puffs.
The ancient Alpha howled.
The black throne cracked.
The gate fell down.
Eren was down.
Kael caught him, “
“Gotcha.
Kael put his arms around Eren.
“Daddy.
Kael hugged him tightly.
“I am here.
Lyra ran up to them.
For a moment the three hung together.
Then Kael saw something.
The mountain had gone into a dead silence.
No pulse.
No voice from the ancients.
No state chair.
It was done.
Or so he believed.
Kael looked at his father.
The man stood next to the ruins.
But his body was beginning to flicker.
“Daddy?”
His father gazed at him.
“Time.
Kael walked toward him.
“No.”
His father grinned.
“You don’t need me anymore.
Kael’s eyes welled with tears.
“You lied to me.
“I know it.”
You abandoned me.
“I know.”
“You allowed me to hate you.”
His father glanced down.
“I thought hate would keep you alive.”
Kael’s voice cracked.
“Why didn’t you tell me the real truth?”
“I should have.
Kael came to a stop in front of him.
His father put a hand on his shoulder.
“I’m sorry, my son.”
Then his body turned to silver light.
Kael stood transfixed.
Lyra slipped up beside him.
“He’s our savior.
Kael gave a nod.
But before either could say more, Eren looked suddenly toward the ruins.
“Daddy.
Kael whirled around.
“Eh?”
Eren gestured.
Something was moving beneath the shattered throne.
A small hand emerged from the darkness.
Kael immediately stepped in front of Lyra and Eren.
The hand gripped the stone.
Then a second hand appeared.
Kael’s wolf began growling.
“There’s someone down there.”
Lyra stared at the ruins.
Who?
A familiar voice answered from under the broken throne.
Someone you thought was dead.
Kael felt the blood run cold.
He recognized that voice.
“Seraphina?”
The stones moved.
Seraphina Noir slipped quietly from the gloom.
But her eyes were entirely black.
She looked into Kael’s eyes.
Then smiled.
“You really thought that destroying the throne would end the war?