Maya raced through the forest, her legs moving faster than they ever had before. Liam's howl echoed in her mind, pulling her forward like an invisible rope. Her wolf was taking over—she could feel her nails sharpening, her senses heightening.
"Maya, stop!"
A familiar voice cut through her focus. Caleb burst from the trees ahead, blocking her path. His chest heaved from running.
"Get out of my way!" Maya growled, her voice deeper than normal. "Liam's in trouble."
Caleb grabbed her shoulders. "It's a trap. There was no howl."
Maya blinked, confused. "What? But I heard him..."
"It's the bond sickness," Caleb explained, his eyes full of worry. "You're hearing things that aren't there."
Maya shook her head, trying to clear it. The pain in her chest throbbed. Had she imagined Liam's call?
"I need to sit down," she whispered, her legs suddenly weak.
Caleb helped her to a fallen log. The forest was quiet now—no howls, no cries for help. Just the rustle of leaves in the wind.
"How did you find me?" Maya asked.
"Serena told me where you went," Caleb said. "She was scared. Said your eyes were glowing."
Maya touched her face, embarrassed. "The wolf is getting harder to control."
They sat in silence for a moment. The afternoon sun filtered through the trees, creating patterns on the forest floor. Maya's thoughts drifted to Liam. Was he suffering like she was? Or had he really moved on with Rowan's daughter?
"Marcus wants me to join Rowan's pack," Maya finally said. "As a mate for Rowan's son."
Caleb's hands clenched into fists. "You can't go! It has to be a trick."
"I know," Maya sighed. "But he threatened my family."
"We'll figure something out," Caleb promised. He took a deep breath, as if gathering courage. "Maya, there's something I need to tell you."
Something in his voice made Maya look up. Caleb's expression had changed—his eyes were intense, nervous.
"What is it?" she asked.
Caleb moved closer on the log. "We've been friends forever. You know that. But lately, I've been feeling... something more."
Maya's stomach dropped. She had a feeling she knew where this was going.
"Caleb—"
"Just let me say this," he interrupted. "I've had feelings for you for a long time. And now, with everything that's happened with Liam... maybe it's a sign. Maybe we're meant to be together."
He reached for her hand. Maya didn't pull away, but her mind was racing. Caleb was her friend—her best friend. She'd never thought of him as anything else.
"I don't know what to say," she whispered.
"Say you'll give us a chance," Caleb urged. "I would never hurt you like Liam did. I'd protect you, stand by you."
Maya looked into his hopeful eyes and felt her heart break for him. "Caleb, I care about you so much. But..."
"But you still have feelings for Liam," Caleb finished, his voice turning bitter.
"It's not that simple," Maya protested. "The mate bond isn't something I can just turn off."
"Even after he joined another pack? After he moved on with someone else?"
The words stung. Maya stood up, needing space to think. "I don't know what I feel anymore. Everything's so confusing."
Caleb stood too, his expression softening. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't push you. Not with everything else going on."
The sun was starting to set, painting the forest in golden light. Maya suddenly remembered Alpha Rowan's deadline—she was supposed to give her answer by sunset.
"We need to get back," she said urgently. "I have to talk to Elara before I face the Alphas again."
They hurried through the forest, neither speaking about Caleb's confession. The tension between them felt strange and new—a crack in their solid friendship.
As they neared the edge of the forest, a figure stepped out from behind a tree. Maya gasped.
Liam stood there, looking as shocked to see her as she was to see him.
"Maya?" he whispered, as if he couldn't believe his eyes.
The sight of him hit Maya like a physical blow. He looked terrible—pale and drawn, with dark circles under his eyes. But he was still Liam, still the boy who made her heart race even when she wanted to hate him.
Caleb moved protectively in front of Maya. "What are you doing here? This isn't your territory anymore."
Liam's eyes hardened. "I'm not here to talk to you." He looked past Caleb, directly at Maya. "Is it true? You're agreeing to mate with Victor?"
"Victor?" Maya asked, confused.
"Rowan's son," Liam clarified, his voice tight with anger. "My father is telling everyone you've agreed to the arrangement."
"That's a lie!" Maya exclaimed. "I never agreed to anything."
A flicker of relief crossed Liam's face before disappearing behind his mask of indifference. "Well, you should know what you're getting into. Victor isn't like us. He's dangerous."
"Like you're one to talk about danger," Caleb scoffed. "You betrayed your own pack."
Liam's eyes flashed, and for a moment, Maya thought he might attack Caleb. Instead, he took a step back.
"I came to warn you," he said to Maya, ignoring Caleb completely. "Rowan and my father are planning something. Something big."
"Why should we believe you?" Caleb challenged.
Liam's gaze never left Maya's face. "Because despite everything, I don't want to see you hurt."
The sincerity in his voice made Maya's chest ache. She moved past Caleb, closer to Liam. "Tell me what they're planning."
"I don't know all the details," Liam admitted. "But it involves the prophecy."
Maya gasped. "Serena mentioned a prophecy. About true mates being divided."
Liam nodded, his expression grim. "There's more to it. The prophecy says when true alpha mates reject their bond, their pack will face its greatest threat. One mate will find the darkness, one will find the light. Only together can they save everyone."
"And you think that's us?" Maya asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I know it is," Liam replied. "I can feel it. Even now."
He reached out, his fingers almost touching her cheek, then stopped himself. The almost-touch sent a jolt through Maya's body, easing the pain of the bond sickness momentarily.
Caleb made a disgusted noise. "This is ridiculous. He's manipulating you, Maya."
But Maya couldn't look away from Liam's blue eyes. "If the prophecy is true, then why are Rowan and your father trying to keep us apart?"
"Because together, we're powerful," Liam said. "Together, we could challenge both of them."
A howl cut through the forest—not Liam's this time, but one of Rowan's wolves. Liam's head snapped up, his body tensing.
"I have to go," he said urgently. "They can't find me here with you."
"Wait!" Maya grabbed his arm. The contact sent waves of warmth through her body, momentarily silencing her wolf. "Are you... are you really with Rowan's daughter now?"
Liam's eyes softened. "There is no daughter, Maya. That was a lie to hurt you." He leaned closer, whispering, "Meet me at the old willow tree tonight. Midnight. I'll explain everything."
Before she could respond, he disappeared into the trees, leaving Maya with more questions than answers.
Caleb's face was a storm of emotions. "You're not actually thinking of meeting him, are you?"
Maya bit her lip. "I need to know the truth."
"The truth?" Caleb's voice rose. "The truth is that he abandoned you! He joined another pack! And now that I've told you how I feel, suddenly he shows up?"
"This isn't about you, Caleb," Maya said, immediately regretting her harsh tone.
Hurt flashed across Caleb's face. "I think it is. I think you have to choose. Him or me."
Maya felt torn in two. Caleb was safe, familiar, loyal. But Liam... Liam was her mate, whether she wanted him to be or not.
"I can't make that choice right now," she said honestly.
Caleb's expression hardened. "Then I'll make it for you." He turned and walked away, heading toward the pack grounds.
"Caleb, wait!" Maya called after him.
But he didn't turn around. Maya watched him go, a sick feeling growing in her stomach. What was he going to do?
As the last rays of sunlight faded from the sky, Maya made her decision. She would meet Liam at midnight. She had to know the truth about the prophecy, about Rowan and Marcus's plans.
What she didn't know was that someone had been watching their entire conversation from the shadows. Kira stepped out after both Caleb and Maya had gone, a cruel smile on her face.
"This changes everything," she whispered to herself, pulling out a phone. She dialed quickly. "Alpha Rowan? I have news about our little problem. Both of them, actually."
As night fell over the forest, two wolves circled each other in the darkness. One black as midnight, one white as snow. Their eyes glowed in the darkness—blue meeting amber across the divide.
The prophecy had begun.