Fire burned through Aeryn's blood. She thrashed against hands that tried to hold her down, fighting enemies in her fever dreams.
"Thorne!" she screamed, her voice raw. "Don't leave me!"
"I'm not Thorne," a calm voice answered. "Be still now. The medicine will help."
Cool liquid trickled between Aeryn's lips. She coughed, tried to spit it out, but gentle fingers stroked her throat, urging her to swallow. The bitter taste made her wince, but soon blessed coolness spread through her burning body.
"That's it," the voice mumbled. "Rest now."
Aeryn's eyes fluttered open. A man's face floated above hers, features blurry in the dim light. Not Thorne. This man had darker hair, amber eyes that seemed to glow like a wolf's. She tried to speak, but tiredness pulled her back into darkness.
Dreams came and went. Sometimes she was back in Thorne's arms, happy and loved. Other times she stood alone in a forest while wolves circled, their eyes hungry. Once she thought of a baby crying, but couldn't find it no matter how hard she searched.
When Aeryn finally woke fully, sunshine streamed through a small window. She lay in a bed with soft furs pulled up to her chin. The room was simple – wooden walls, a chair beside the bed, plants hanging from the ceiling to dry.
"You're awake."
Aeryn turned her head. A man stood in the doorway, tall and lean, with wide shoulders and those same amber eyes she remembered from her fever dreams. He looked about Thorne's age, maybe a few years older, with a quiet strength in his stance.
"Where am I?" Her voice came out as a croak.
"My cabin." He approached, holding a cup. "Drink this. Slowly."
Aeryn tried to sit up, but weakness made her fall back. Without a word, the man slid one arm behind her shoulders, lifting her easily. His touch was careful, distant, yet something about it made Aeryn's skin tingle.
The water tasted sweet, with hints of honey and mint. It soothed her parched throat.
"Thank you," she whispered. "How long have I been here?"
"Three days." He set the cup aside. "The fever nearly took you. And the child."
Aeryn's hands flew to her stomach. "My baby? Is it—"
"Safe." His face softened slightly. "But it was close. You pushed yourself too hard."
Relief washed over her. Then his words sank in. "How did you know I'm pregnant?"
Instead of answering, he put a hand on her forehead. "The fever's gone. You'll need to eat soon."
"Who are you?" Aeryn asked, studying his face. Something about him seemed familiar, though she was certain they'd never met.
"Kael." He stepped back, keeping distance between them. "Rest now. I'll bring food."
When he left, Aeryn sank back into the pillows. Kael. The name meant nothing to her, yet there was something about him that tugged at her mind, like a half-forgotten dream.
Later, he returned with a bowl of rich stew. The smell made Aeryn's mouth water. She managed to sit up on her own this time, though her arms trembled with the effort.
"Eat," Kael said, setting the bowl on her lap. "The baby needs strength."
Aeryn took a spoonful, nearly groaning at the taste. "This is delicious."
Kael sat in the chair beside the bed, watching her with those focused amber eyes. He didn't smile, didn't speak, just watched.
"You're a healer?" Aeryn asked between bites.
"Among other things."
"What other things?"
His jaw tightened. "Questions later. Eat now."
Something in his tone reminded her of Thorne when he was giving orders. An Alpha's order. Was Kael an Alpha? He didn't have the same intimidating presence as Thorne, but power radiated from him in a quieter way.
"Are we still near Pine Ridge?" Aeryn asked, ignoring his brush-off.
"Yes."
"I need to find my brother. He's looking for me."
"No one's looking for you." Kael's voice was flat. "At least, no one who wishes you well."
Fear clenched Aeryn's heart. "What do you mean?"
"Thorne's men were in town asking questions. Showing your picture." Kael's eyes darkened. "They're not here to bring you home."
"Then why?"
"To silence you, I imagine." He took the empty bowl from her hands. "Few things are more dangerous to an Alpha than a rejected mate carrying his child."
Aeryn shook her head. "Thorne wouldn't hurt me."
"The Thorne who abandoned you for another woman? That Thorne?" Bitterness edged Kael's words.
"How do you know so much about me?"
Again, he ignored her question. "Your brother never came. Either he was delayed, or caught."
Panic flared in Aeryn's chest. "Lars? What happened to him?"
"I don't know." Kael stood. "But you're safe here. That's what matters now."
As he turned to leave, Aeryn grabbed his wrist. The moment their skin touched, a jolt like lightning shot up her arm. Kael jerked away as if burned, his eyes wide with shock.
For a heartbeat, neither moved. Aeryn stared at her hand, then at Kael's face. He looked shaken, his normal calm broken.
"What was that?" she whispered.
Kael backed toward the door. "Rest. We'll talk later."
"No! Tell me what just happened. Why did it feel like—"
"Like a mate bond?" Kael's voice was rough. "Because it is."
Aeryn's heart stuttered. "That's impossible. I'm already mated to Thorne."
"Are you?" Kael's eyes burned into hers. "The mark on your neck is disappearing. Look for yourself." Aeryn's hand flew to her neck, to the spot where Thorne had bitten her. The skin felt different – smoother, the raised edges of the mark barely visible.
"A true mate bond cannot be broken," Kael said softly. "But a false one fades when rejected. Thorne was never your true mate, Aeryn."
"And you are?" The words came out sharper than meant. "A stranger I just met?"
Something like pain flashed across Kael's face. "Not a stranger. You just don't remember."
Before Aeryn could ask what he meant, a howl split the air outside. Kael tensed, moving to the window.
"They've found us," he mumbled.
"Thorne's men?"
"Worse." Kael grabbed a bag, quickly filling it with jars of flowers and supplies. "We need to leave. Now."
Aeryn pushed back the covers, pushing her weak legs to support her as she stood. "Who's coming?"
Kael tossed her a dress and boots. "Get dressed. Quickly."
Aeryn changed behind a screen while Kael collected more supplies. Her body felt surprisingly stronger after just one meal. Whatever medicine Kael had given her was strong.
When she exited, Kael was waiting by a small door she hadn't noticed before.
"This leads to tunnels under the mountain," he explained. "We can reach the next valley without being seen."
"Kael, please." Aeryn caught his arm, ignoring the spark that jumped between them. "Who are we running from?"
His golden eyes met hers, filled with a sadness that made her heart ache.
"Your father's killers," he said softly. "The same ones who've been hunting you your entire life."
"My father? But he died in an accident—"
"No, Aeryn. Your father was killed." Kael's face hardened. "By Thorne's father."
The world seemed to tilt under Aeryn's feet. "That's not possible. Thorne said my father was his friend, his uncle—"
"More lies." Kael took her hand, the power between them humming like a live wire. "Your father was the true Alpha of the Silver Moon pack. Thorne's father killed him to take charge."
Another scream, closer now. Kael pulled Aeryn toward the secret door.
"And now," he continued, his voice tight with urgency, "Thorne wants to make sure you and your baby never threaten his claim to power."
"Why would my baby threaten him?"
Kael's eyes locked with hers. "Because your child is the last pure-blooded heir to the Silver Moon pack. The true Alpha. And I swore to your father I would protect you both with my life."
The door closed behind them, sending them into darkness. As Kael led her through the tight tunnel, Aeryn's mind reeled with questions. Her entire life had been built on lies. Thorne, the man she'd loved, was the son of her father's killer.
And Kael, this quiet stranger with healing hands, claimed to be her true mate.
"There's something else you should know," Kael whispered as they rushed through the darkness. "Something about your baby."
"What about my baby?" Fear made Aeryn's voice shake.
Kael stopped, turning to face her though she could barely see him in the darkness.
"Your child isn't just the heir to the Silver Moon pack," he said softly. "According to the ancient prophecy, your baby will either unite all wolf packs... or destroy them."