Chapter 3

When the tribal horn sounded at dawn, I knew something big was about to happen.

That low, ancient tone pierced through the Silver Moon territory, and even as a spirit, I could feel its authority. I followed Kaelan's footsteps, watching him hastily arrange his appearance for the council chamber.

"Damn it." He cursed under his breath, his black hair disheveled.

I wanted to help him straighten it, like I had countless times when alive, but my hand passed through his body.

Around the massive stone table, five elders sat with grave faces. Chief Elder Russell fixed his golden eyes on Kaelan.

"Sit down, Kaelan." Russell's voice was rough as sandpaper. "We need to talk."

Each elder radiated commanding Alpha aura, filling the hall with oppressive energy.

"We heard you've housed a Bloodclaw descendant in the Moon Temple," Elena Darkmoon said, her voice gentler than Russell's but equally uncompromising. "Did you consider the tribe's interests?"

Kaelan's jaw tightened. "Serena needs sanctuary. She's being hunted—"

"Hunted?" Russell laughed coldly. "Kaelan, the Bloodclaw family controls Europe's werewolf trade network and owns territories in three ancient cities. Would they need our protection?"

"An alliance with them could give us the upper hand in coming territorial wars," Raymond Stoneheart continued. "The East Coast coalition is expanding westward. We need powerful allies."

Kaelan's hands clenched. "I already have a destined mate."

That sentence nearly stopped my heart. At least he remembered our blood oath.

But Russell's next words crushed my hope.

"Your mate, wherever she is." His voice carried frustration. "We don't question Kiley's abilities. Her prophecy saved us from the eastern border attack, and the council remains grateful."

My heart lifted slightly, but Russell continued.

"However, her abilities are worthless if she's not here when needed. The tribe faces threats, and your mate has vanished. What good is a prophet who abandons her post?"

"Kiley didn't abandon anything!" Kaelan shot up, chair scraping harshly. "She must have a reason—"

"Perhaps," Elena said diplomatically. "But we must deal with reality. The Bloodclaw alliance offers tangible benefits—military support, trade routes, political influence."

Raymond nodded. "And bloodline matters, Kaelan. Yes, Kiley proved herself capable, but her Omega heritage limits your heirs' strength. Bloodclaw lineage would ensure powerful Alpha successors."

I wanted to scream. They were reducing everything I'd sacrificed to a cost-benefit analysis.

"Consider the greater good," Russell commanded. "Which better serves Silver Moon? A missing Omega with unpredictable visions, or proven alliance with Europe's most powerful werewolf dynasty?"

Kaelan's hands trembled. Their logic wrapped around him like chains.

"Think about it," Elena said with finality. "This isn't personal preference. It's survival."

The meeting ended heavily. Kaelan left without speaking, and I followed his weary figure.

He walked to the hillside behind the Moon Temple, where an ancient monument carved with Moon Goddess blessings stood. This was our place.

Kaelan stopped before the monument, gazing at the lingering moon. Moonlight made him look lonely and pained.

"Kiley..." he whispered.

Memories surged in his mind. I sensed them through our lingering mental connection.

Blood moon night, we stood before this monument. My hand was on his heart, feeling his strong heartbeat.

"I see a blood-colored future," I told him. "The enemy tribe will attack the eastern border in three days. But together, we can change destiny."

That was when I first showed my prophetic ability. He held me tightly.

"You saved the entire tribe, Kiley. You're the strongest Omega I've ever seen."

Three days later, my prophecy came true. Silver Moon was prepared and easily repelled the invaders. Even stubborn elders began respecting my abilities.

"We make an eternal vow before the Moon Goddess," I had said. "Whether in life or death, I am yours, and you are mine."

"An eternal vow." Kaelan placed a silver necklace around my neck. "This belonged to my mother. Now it's yours."

That necklace was still around my corpse's neck, somewhere at the cliff's bottom.

Present-day Kaelan touched his matching necklace. His voice choked.

"Where did she go? Why did she leave when I needed her most?"

I didn't leave! I died! I died coming back to you!

After a long moment, Kaelan left for the Moon Temple.

Inside, the chamber had been carefully arranged with warm candles and soft blankets. Serena sat among cushions, red hair shimmering in candlelight, looking elegant and fragile.

"Kaelan." She smiled. "You look tired."

"Tribal affairs." He sat down, deliberately maintaining distance.

Serena noticed, displeasure flashing before she concealed it.

"I have something to tell you." Her hand moved to her abdomen. "I'm... pregnant."

What?

Kaelan's eyes widened. "What?"

"My former mate's child," Serena's voice trembled with apparent pain. "After losing the war, he went mad and abused me. I escaped to protect this child."

"This child needs strong bloodline protection, needs a true Alpha." She looked at him expectantly. "Not like some who can't stay when danger approaches."

The subtle jab hit its mark. Kaelan flinched.

"But the child can't wait." She stroked her abdomen while tracing silvery scars on her shoulder. "These marks remind me what he did. Without you, we'd both be dead."

Kaelan's eyes fixed on those scars, protective instinct flaring. Werewolf nature, especially when an Alpha faced a pregnant female in distress.

"You can stay as long as needed," he said. "I'll protect you and the child."

Serena smiled gratefully.

"Thank you, Kaelan. I knew you were still that kind boy." She leaned forward, almost touching his hand, then caught herself. "I hope Kiley comes back soon... I wouldn't want her to misunderstand. I'll explain everything to her, of course."

The words sounded reasonable, but I heard the poison underneath. She was making me seem unreasonable, the one who would "misunderstand."

What hurt more was Kaelan's wavering. His look held more than sympathy—there was tenderness.

"Get some rest." He stood. "Call if you need anything."

After he left, Serena's expression changed completely. Her smile became cold and calculating.

She stroked her abdomen, the gesture looking more like confirming something was in place than soothing a child.

"Soon, Kaelan," she whispered. "Soon you'll forget that little Omega and choose someone truly worthy."

I could only float there, forced to watch my life being destroyed bit by bit.