When Worlds Collide

Kael caught Elias as he fell.

The young Omega fell into his arms, unconscious but still glowing with power. The crowd backed away in fear as wind continued to whip around them and small fires danced across the platform.

"What have you done to him?" Seraphina yelled, pushing her way through the crowd. Her violet eyes flashed with anger as she reached for her brother.

"I've done nothing," Kael growled, holding Elias protectively. "This is the bond."

Elder Moira approached carefully. "Take him to my healing tent. Quickly."

Kael lifted Elias easily, holding him against his chest. The Omega felt impossibly light in his arms, yet Kael could feel the raw power humming beneath his skin. As they moved away from the platform, the magical storm started to calm.

Darius stepped forward, blocking their way. "Our business isn't finished, Stormcrest."

"Move," Kael demanded, his voice dropping to a dangerous rumble. His wolf was close to the surface, ready to fight for the man in his arms.

"The Nightshade heir belongs with me," Darius declared. "The pact—"

"Can wait until he wakes," Elder Moira interrupted firmly. "Now step aside, Alpha Frostveil, or risk breaking sacred ceremony laws."

Darius's icy eyes narrowed, but he stepped aside, his gaze never leaving Elias's face. "This isn't over."

The healing tent stood apart from the main celebration grounds. Inside, herbs hung from the ceiling and shelves lined with potions and cures covered the walls. Kael gently placed Elias on a cot in the middle of the room, reluctant to break contact.

"What happened out there?" Seraphina commanded once they were alone with Elder Moira. "I've never seen his magic react like that."

Kael stared down at Elias's peaceful face, still trying to understand it himself. "The bond... it's stronger than anything I've ever felt."

"Impossible," Seraphina mumbled. "Fated mates are rare enough, but between an Alpha and a male Omega? And one with his powers?"

Elder Moira began studying Elias, her wrinkled hands hovering over his body. "Not impossible. Just not seen in many lives." She looked up at Kael with knowing eyes. "There's more to you than meets the eye, isn't there, Alpha Stormcrest?"

Kael stiffened. Could she sense his secret? The runes on his back burned in answer, as if warning him.

Before he could answer, Elias gasped and sat up, his mercury eyes wide with fear. "The woman—did you see her?"

Kael moved to his side instantly. "What woman?"

"She was there, in the moonlight," Elias said, his voice shaking. "She said 'the prophecy begins.'" He looked around, confusion clouding his features. "Where am I? What happened?"

"You fainted," Seraphina explained, sitting beside him on the cot. "Your magic went wild when he touched you." She shot an accusing glare at Kael.

Elias's eyes found Kael's, and that same electric link sparked between them. This time, Kael was prepared for it, bracing himself against the rush of power.

"I know you," Elias whispered, though they had never met before. "How is that possible?"

"It's the bond," Elder Moira said gently. "A true mate bond awakens memories shared between souls, even from past lives."

Seraphina stood suddenly. "This is crazy. Elias, we should leave."

"No," Elias said, shocking everyone, including himself. "I need to understand what's happening."

A commotion outside stopped them. Liam, Kael's second-in-command, burst into the room. "Alpha, you need to come. Now."

"What is it?" Kael asked, hesitant to leave Elias's side.

"Darius is challenging the bond publicly. He's telling everyone about an old pact with the Nightshade family that gives him first claim."

Elias paled. "What pact? Our parents never mentioned any plan."

"Because there isn't one," Seraphina said definitely, but doubt flickered in her eyes.

Elder Moira frowned. "If there truly is a formal pact, it would supersede even a fated bond under the old laws."

"That's ridiculous," Kael growled.

"Perhaps," the older said, "but law is law in the Moonlit Realm. It has kept peace between packs for ages."

Kael's hands curled into fists. Every instinct in his body screamed at him to claim Elias, to protect him from Darius's schemes. But he had to be careful. If he lost control, his runes might fail totally, exposing his dual nature to everyone.

"Can you walk?" he asked Elias softly.

Elias nodded and stood, though his legs shook slightly. "I'm fine."

"You're not," Seraphina protested, but Elias silenced her with a look.

"I want to hear what he has to say about this supposed pact," Elias said, determination hardening his voice. "Our parents have been dead for eighteen years. I deserve to know the truth."

When they returned to the ceremony grounds, the crowd had formed a circle around Darius, who held an old scroll in his hands. His cold smile widened when he saw Elias.

"Ah, the young heir awakens," he called out. "Just in time to hear the truth about your legacy."

Elias stepped forward, standing tall despite the comments around him. "What truth? What pact?"

Darius unrolled the paper with a flourish. "Signed eighteen years ago, just weeks before your parents' unexpected death. A marriage contract between the firstborn Omega child of the Nightshade line and the Alpha of the Frostveil Pack."

"Let me see that," Seraphina ordered, pushing forward.

Darius gave her the scroll with a smirk. Seraphina scanned it, her face getting paler. "These... these look like our parents' signatures, but they would never..."

"They would and they did," Darius said easily. "They understood the importance of uniting our bloodlines."

Kael watched Elias carefully. The young Omega stood frozen, his face a mask of confusion and hurt.

"Why?" Elias asked softly. "Why would they promise me to you before I was even born?"

"For protection," Darius answered. "Your family was strong, but they had enemies. My pack offered security."

"And yet they died anyway," Seraphina spat. "Where was your protection then?"

A shadow crossed Darius's face. "I arrived too late. A fact I've regretted for eighteen years."

Kael could smell the lie. His wolf growled inside him, sensing deception. He stepped forward, putting himself beside Elias. "The pact is void. The link between us proves it."

"Does it?" Darius challenged. "Or perhaps the bond is simply your desperate attempt to claim what you know is rightfully mine."

The crowd mumbled. Many of the older wolves nodded in agreement, custom winning over romance.

"There is one way to settle this," Elder Moira announced, her voice cutting through the whispers. "The Trial of Three Moons."

Gasps spread through the crowd. The Trial hadn't been called in centuries.

"What's the Trial of Three Moons?" Elias asked, looking between Kael and the elder.

"An ancient challenge," Elder Moira stated. "Three jobs over three nights, while the triple moons still align. If the bond between you and Alpha Stormcrest is true, it will survive the trials. If not, the deal stands."

Darius's smile widened. "I accept these terms."

Kael nodded grimly. "As do I."

"Wait," Elias objected. "Don't I get a say in this?"

"I'm afraid not," Elder Moira said softly. "The old rules are clear. When ownership of an Omega is disputed, they have no say in the resolution."

"Ownership?" Elias echoed, outrage coloring his words. "I don't belong to anyone!"

His anger sparked his magic. The ground shook beneath their feet, and the wind picked up around them.

"Control yourself," Seraphina whispered desperately. "Not here."

Elias took a deep breath, pushing his power back down.

"The first trial begins tomorrow at midnight," Elder Moira declared. "Until then, Elias Nightshade will remain under my protection."

As the crowd cleared, Darius approached Elias. "Rest well, little Omega. Soon you'll understand your true place in the grand plan."

When he walked away, Kael moved closer to Elias. "I won't let him take you."

"You speak as if I have no choice," Elias said bitterly.

"We all have choices," Kael answered, his golden eyes intense. "I've lived three ages making the wrong ones. I don't plan to make another."

Their eyes locked again, and this time, Elias didn't look away. "Why does it feel like I've known you forever?"

Kael wanted to tell him everything—about his secret nature, about the prophecy, about the dark truth behind Darius's interest in him. But now wasn't the time.

"Get some rest," he said instead. "Tomorrow will test us both."

As Elias turned to follow Elder Moira, a silver bird swooped down from the sky, dropping another tiny scroll at Kael's feet. He picked it up and read the message, his blood turning cold: The boy doesn't know what he is. Kill him now, while you still can, or watch him destroy everything you've made.

Kael looked up sharply, searching the shadows, but the sender was nowhere to be seen. In the distance, he caught a glimpse of a figure with glowing white hair disappearing into the trees—the same woman Elias had described seeing in his vision.

The prophecy had started, and none of them were ready for what came next.