Raven couldn't sleep that night. The silver mark on her hands kept glowing, pulsing like a second heartbeat. She stared at the ceiling of her small cabin, thinking about everything Sylvia had told them.
The bloodlines are awakening. The Healer and the Alpha, joined once more.
What did it all mean? And why was she connected to Hunter now?
Morning came too quickly. When Raven stepped outside, the Bloodfang compound was alive with activity. Wolves hurried back and forth, carrying weapons and supplies. Something had changed overnight—everyone seemed tense, alert.
"There you are," said a friendly voice. Raven turned to see Maya, one of the younger pack members. "Hunter's called a pack meeting. Come on."
Maya led her to the main hall where nearly a hundred wolves had gathered. Hunter stood at the front, his face grim. The silver crescent moon mark on his wrist was visible to everyone.
"The Shadow Watchers have been spotted near our borders," Hunter announced. The room erupted in growls and murmurs. "From now on, no one travels alone. Double the patrols. And—" his eyes found Raven "—protect the bloodlines at all costs."
After the meeting, Maya showed Raven around the compound. "This is the training area," she explained, pointing to a large clearing where wolves practiced fighting in both human and wolf forms. "And over there's the nursery."
Several pups played under the watchful eyes of older pack members. When they spotted Raven, they raced over, curious about the newcomer.
"Are you really a Silversong?" asked a small girl with bright eyes. "Can you heal me?" She held up her arm, showing a small scrape.
Before Raven could answer, a tall woman yanked the child away. "Stay away from her," she hissed. "She'll bring nothing but trouble."
"Don't mind Veronica," Maya whispered as the woman stormed off. "She lost her mate to rogue wolves last year. She doesn't trust outsiders."
Throughout the day, Raven noticed how divided the pack was about her. Some, like Maya and the pups, were friendly and curious. Others watched her with suspicious eyes, whispering when she passed.
At lunch in the main hall, Raven sat alone until Nate plopped down across from her with a grin.
"Rough first day?" he asked, pushing a plate of food toward her. "Eat. You'll need your strength."
"Why is everyone staring at me?" Raven asked, picking at her food.
"Because you're bonded to our Alpha," Nate replied simply. "That hasn't happened in generations. Plus, your hands glow. That's pretty weird."
Raven laughed despite herself. "Thanks for being honest."
"That's me—brutally honest Nate." He winked. "By the way, Hunter wants you to start training today. Combat skills, control of your abilities—the works."
Raven's stomach tightened. "With him?"
"No, with me and Sylvia. Hunter's been... preoccupied."
Indeed, Hunter had been avoiding her all day. Whenever their paths nearly crossed, he suddenly found somewhere else to be. But she could feel his eyes on her constantly, watching from a distance.
Training with Nate was brutal. He didn't go easy on her, throwing her to the ground again and again until her muscles screamed in protest.
"You're too predictable," he said, helping her up after the twentieth fall. "Your old pack taught you to fight like an Omega—defensive, cautious. You need to think like an Alpha."
"I'm not an Alpha," Raven snapped, wiping blood from her lip.
"No, but you've got Alpha blood," Nate replied. "Use it."
The next time he lunged, something clicked in Raven's mind. She sidestepped, grabbed his arm, and used his momentum to flip him over her shoulder. Nate hit the ground hard, eyes wide with surprise.
"Like that?" Raven asked, unable to hide her smile.
"Exactly like that," Nate laughed, rubbing his shoulder. "You're a quick learner, Silversong."
After combat training came lessons with Sylvia in the healer's cottage. The old woman taught Raven about herbs and potions, but most importantly, about her own abilities.
"Focus on the light within," Sylvia instructed, placing a wounded bird in Raven's hands. The poor creature's wing was bent at an unnatural angle. "Feel the life force. Guide it."
Raven closed her eyes, concentrating on the warmth in her palms. She imagined the bird's wing mending, bones straightening, feathers aligning. The silver light flowed from her fingers, surrounding the tiny body.
When she opened her eyes, the bird fluttered its wings—both perfectly healthy—and flew away.
"I did it!" Raven gasped.
Sylvia nodded, her milky eyes gleaming. "The gift grows stronger. But remember, healing takes energy. Use it too much, too quickly, and it could drain your life force completely."
As evening fell, Raven made her way back to her cabin, exhausted but oddly satisfied. For the first time since being cast out of her old pack, she felt useful. Needed.
She was so lost in thought that she didn't notice the shadow following her until it was too late. A hand clamped over her mouth, dragging her between two buildings.
Raven fought back, using the moves Nate had taught her, but her attacker was strong. When she finally broke free and spun around, ready to fight, she froze.
"Kieran?" she whispered.
He stood before her, his face dirty and scratched, his clothes torn. "I had to warn you," he said urgently. "It's not what you think. I'm not with the Shadow Watchers—I've been tracking them."
"Why should I believe you?" Raven demanded. "You wanted to take me back to Lady Seraphina."
"That was before I knew what she was planning." Kieran glanced around nervously. "Raven, she's working with someone inside this pack. Someone close to Hunter. They're trying to capture you, not kill you. They need your blood for something."
Raven's mind raced. "Who? Who's the traitor?"
"I don't know yet. But be careful who you trust." He reached for her hand, then stopped when he saw the silver markings. "So it's true. The bloodlines are awakening."
"Why are you helping me?" Raven asked, her voice softer. "After everything..."
"Because I still—" Kieran began, but a growl cut him off.
Hunter emerged from the shadows, his eyes glowing with fury. "Step away from her," he snarled at Kieran.
"Hunter, wait," Raven started, but it was too late.
The two men circled each other, shifting partially—claws extending, teeth sharpening. The air crackled with their power.
"You dare enter my territory?" Hunter growled. "After betraying us to the Shadow Watchers?"
"I never betrayed anyone," Kieran shot back. "I came to warn you—there's a traitor in your pack."
Hunter laughed coldly. "A convenient story."
They lunged at each other, moving so fast Raven could barely follow. Claws slashed, drawing blood. Teeth snapped inches from throats.
"Stop it!" Raven shouted, stepping between them. The silver light blazed from her hands, pushing them apart with surprising force. "This is exactly what our enemies want—us fighting each other instead of them!"
Both men stared at her, breathing hard. The silver mark on Hunter's wrist pulsed in sync with the light in Raven's hands.
"He's right," came a soft voice from the shadows. They all turned to see Lily stepping forward, her own hands glowing faintly. "There is a traitor. I've seen them in my dreams."
"Who?" Hunter demanded.
Lily's eyes filled with tears. "Someone you trust completely. Someone who's been lying to all of us."
Before she could say more, a piercing howl split the night—the pack's alarm signal.
"We're under attack," Hunter said grimly.
In the distance, Raven could see flames rising from the east side of the compound. The Shadow Watchers had found them.
But as they raced toward the flames, one thought burned in Raven's mind: one of the wolves running beside them—one of the pack she was beginning to trust—was leading them straight into a trap.