The silver eyes beneath the mountain grew wide.
Eren shook.
“Dad …”
Kael jerked him behind him.
“Get behind me.”
The old Alpha did not stir.
For the first time since she had known him there was no arrogance in his face.
Only fear
Lyra looked.
“What’s wrong?”
The old Alpha peered into the darkness.
“You never should have opened that jail.”
Kael tightened his jaw.
We never opened it.
His gaze went to Seraphina.
“You did.”
Seraphina shook her head.
“Nope.
Again, the ground shook.
“I didn’t,”
Kael’s eyes grew hard.
“Who did, then?
Eren looked at Seraphina.
“It’s the same person that’s opened it since the very first time.”
All was silent.
Eren looked puzzled.
“Me?”
Seraphina approached him.
Uh-uh.
Kael cut her off right away.
“Stand back.
Seraphina halted.
Listen to me Kael.
“Eren’s not opening the prison on purpose.”
“Then explain,”
“The part of him that was cut away from his body…”
She swallowed hard.
It was never about power.
Kael glanced at her.
“What is it?”
“A key.”
There was a deep growl from beneath them.
Suddenly Eren grabbed his chest.
“Something’s holding me.”
Kael grabbed him by the shoulders.
“See me.”
Tears welled in Eren’s eyes.
I can’t help it.”‘
Lyra moved beside them.
“Listen to my voice, Eren.
Eren stared at her.
“Mom…
Lyra pressed her palm to his chest.
The silver glow in his body faded like a light.
Kael looked.
“The blood of Moonveil.
Seraphina bobbed her head.
“Your blood line can suppress it.
“How much time?”
Seraphina gave no answer.
Kale knew.
“Not for long.”
“Nope.”
Seraphina stared into the dark.
“Because whatever’s down there is not trying to pull Eren down to it.”
Kael scowled.
“Then what does it want?”
Seraphina’s voice lowered.
“It wants Lyra.
Suddenly the mountain blew up under their feet.
Kael held Lyra and Eren in his arms.
They slammed against the stone.
Roderick tried to get up.
“What was that?”
A great crack ran across the chamber.
Black mist boiled out of it.
And then a hand came.
Not a paw.
“A human hand.
Kael blinked.
Someone was coming out.
The ancient Alpha jumped back.
“No…”
Kael glanced at him.
You know who this is.”
The ancient Alpha didn’t speak.
A second hand took the rim.
Kael stopped.
He was the spitting image of the man.
Same dark hair.
Same sharp jaw line.
Same silver black eyes.
But there was something very ancient about him.
Something is amiss.
The stranger stepped down on to the stone.
He looked at Kael.
Lyra then.
And then Eren.
Now at last he smiled.
“So this is what they do with my blood.
Kael’s claws unsheathed.
“Who are you?
The stranger narrowed his eyes into slits.
“You don’t remember at all?”
Kael said nothing.
The stranger chuckled.
“Of course you don’t”.
The ancient Alpha suddenly yelled.
“Get away from him!
The stranger faced about.
His smile went away.
You still order around?
The old Alpha turned pale.
“You were supposed to be sealed.”
“Your brother thought so, too.
Kael looked at his father’s brother.
“What does he say?”
The old Alpha said nothing.
The stranger moved closer.
“I am the reason your father built the throne.”
Kael’s eyes widened
“You?
“I was the first thing he couldn’t get a handle on.”
“The original heir,” Seraphina murmured.
Lyra glanced at her.
“Eh?”
Seraphina nodded to the stranger.
“He’s not Kael’s twin brother.
Kael looked at her.
“Well, what is he, then?
Seraphina’s voice trembled.
“He is what came before the Alpha bloodline.
The stranger smiled.
“A little nearer.”
Kael got out.
“What do you want?”
The stranger turned to Eren.
My replacement.
Eren’s eyes went wide.
Kael immediately pulled him in.
“You aren’t taking my son.”
‘Ha ha,’ said the stranger.
“Your boy?”
He looked over at Lyra.
“No.”
He looked back at Eren.
“He is mine also.”
Lyra came forward.
“Don’t go near him.”
The face of the stranger changed.
For the first time he seemed actually interested.
“You got her blood in you.
Silver eyes, flashing.
Whose?
“The First Moon.”
The stranger bowed his head slowly.
My Queen.
Queen.”
Lyra went still.
Kael slid between them.
“Don’t call her that, The stranger looked over at Kael. You think you can still save her?”
“Yes.”
“You were unable to protect her 7 years ago.
Kael’s body went stiff.
The stranger smiled. Find the original chapter at g.com.
“And you still don’t know who made you refuse her.”
Kael stopped breathing.
“What did you say?”
The stranger came nearer.
“Your father did not do it.”
Kael looked at him.
“Then who else?”
The stranger gestured toward Seraphina.
Her face turned white.
Kael turned slowly.
“Seraphina?”
She shook her head.
“Uh-uh.”
The stranger chuckled.
“Ask her what happened the nite your bond was broken.
Kael turned to Seraphina.
“Tell me.
Seraphina’s lips trembled.
“I could not.”
“Tell me!
“I was there.
Lyra’s eyes got big.
“Seven years ago?
Seraphina nodded * * *
“I witnessed the ceremony.”
Kael’s voice was cold.
“Who was it?”
Seraphina glanced at the stranger.
He did.
The room fell silent.
Kael turned to the stranger.
You?” “Yeah.
Yes.” “
“Why?”
The stranger’s eyes turned to Lyra.
“Because if your bond had remained intact she would have awakened the First Luna. Lyra’s heart was racing. And you were afraid of that?”
“Nope.”
The stranger smiled.
“I was afraid of what the First Luna would recall.”
From Lyra’s body a sudden pulse exploded.
She yelled out.
Kael caught her,
What do you remember?
Seraphina looked frightened.
“Every.
Kael scowled.
“What is it all about?”
Suddenly Lyra’s eyes turned completely silver.
She spoke in a voice that was not her own.
It was old.
“You.”
The stranger grinned.
“Yeah.”
Lyra looked him in the eye.
Then she whispered, “I remember you.
The stranger ducked his head.
“Your majesty.
Lyra felt Kael’s hand clench on hers.
“What did she recall?”
Lyra looked at Kael.
Tears streamed down her face.
“Kael…”
“What?”
“You didn’t turn me down.”
Kael stopped.
“I know,”
“Nope.”
Her voice was shaking.
“You weren’t even the one I was supposed to marry.”
Kael’s face went white.
The stranger came forward.
“Those were the lies they erased.”
Eren suddenly yelled.
Again the silver eyes opened beneath the mountain.
And this time the voice was all around.
“Fetch me my Queen.”
Lyra’s body rose out of Kael’s arms.
“Lyra!”
Kael caught her hand.
But the pull was stronger.
She was losing her hold on his fingers.
“Kael!”
He pressed harder.
“I won’t let you go!”
The stranger looked on in silence.
Then he smiled.
“Now you finally understand it.”
He looked up at him.
“What do you mean, understand?”
The eyes of the stranger were silver.
“It wasn’t about taking your mate, the throne.”
The mountain shuddered violently.
It was trying to take her home.
And under them something old was beginning to come to the surface.