BOUND TO THREE ALPHAS-Chapter 38: WOLF IN THE DEN
Chapter 38: WOLF IN THE DEN
Chapter 38: Wolf in the Den freewёbnoνel.com
The silence in the cabin was eerie. Everyone stared at Rowan, who clutched the purple gem like it was his lifeblood. "It’s not what you think," he said, shoving the crystal into his pocket. "I’m not going to betray anyone." Kael stepped forward, his eyes hard. "Then explain Talia’s vision." "Visions can be wrong," Rowan shot back. "Or misunderstood." Jace pushed himself up from the bed, groaning. "We don’t have time for this.
The second merger happens at sunset. We need a plan." Liana nodded, but her eyes never left Rowan. Something was different about him—beyond the curse being quiet. The bond between them felt vague, like he was hiding part of himself. "Where’s the second convergence point?" she asked, turning to Elder Mira. The old woman drew her finger across a worn map. "The Blood Falls. Where the three rivers meet." "That’s a two-hour hike," Kael said, collecting weapons. "We should leave soon." Rowan moved toward the door. "I need some air." "I’ll join you," Liana said quickly.
Outside, morning light filtered through the trees. Rowan leaned against a pine, his face blank. "What aren’t you telling us?" Liana asked softly. His eyes met hers, clear for the first time since she’d known him. "How does it feel? To be free of pain after years of suffering?" "Rowan—" "I can think clearly. My dog isn’t fighting me. For the first time in my life, I feel... normal." His voice broke. "What if this is my only chance?" Liana touched his arm. "Celeste is manipulating you." "I know that," he snapped. "But what if she’s also telling the truth? What if she’s the only one who can help me?" Before Liana could answer, Kael called them back inside. The moment was lost. An hour later, they moved through the forest as a group. Talia stayed behind with Elder Mira while the four mates went toward Blood Falls. Kael led, with Jace limping behind him. Liana and Rowan brought up the tail. Through their bond, Liana felt Rowan’s turmoil. Every few minutes, his hand would touch his pocket where the purple gem hummed with dark energy. "Do you trust me?" he whispered suddenly. The question caught her off guard. "I want to." Pain flashed across his face. "That’s not the same thing." They reached the falls as the sun began its drop. Three rivers crashed together, forming a pool of churning water that glowed with strange energy. The second meeting point. "I don’t see anyone," Jace said, searching the area. "That’s good." Kael pointed to the center of the pool.
"The water key goes there, where the currents cross." Liana pulled out the crystal. "I’ll do it." "No." Rowan stepped forward. "Let me. I’m the strongest swimmer." Kael frowned but nodded. Liana gave the key to Rowan, their fingers brushing. A jolt of feeling passed between them—fear, doubt, and something that felt like goodbye. "Be careful," she whispered. Rowan slipped into the water, the crystal clutched tight. He swam toward the middle, fighting the currents. The water glowed brighter with each stroke. Suddenly, a sharp whistle cut through the air. "Get down!" Kael shouted, pulling Liana behind a boulder. Too late. Dark figures emerged from the trees—shadow fighters from the Moonless Pack. And in their middle stood Celeste, her smile triumphant. "Right on time," she called. "Thank you for the escort, Rowan." Kael’s eyes widened in deception. "You led them here?" In the water, Rowan looked just as shocked. "No! I didn’t—" "He didn’t have to know," Celeste laughed. "The crystal I gave him works both ways—pain relief and tracking spell." Liana’s heart sank. Rowan hadn’t betrayed them on purpose, but he’d put them all in danger with his despair. "Grab them," Celeste told her warriors. "And get that key!" Shadow warriors pushed forward. Jace, still weak from his near-drowning, managed to take down two before a third knocked him asleep.
Kael fought like a demon, his claws slashing through foes. In the water, Rowan struggled toward land. "Liana, run!" "Too late," came a deep voice that made Liana’s blood freeze. Darius stepped from the shadows, his huge form blocking her escape. The rogue Alpha’s eyes gleamed with joy as he recognized her. "My niece," he said, reaching for her. "Finally." Liana backed away, her wolf rising in fear. This was the man who had hunted her, who claimed to be her blood but brought only violence. "I’m not going anywhere with you." "You don’t have a choice." Darius moved faster than she could respond, grabbing her arm. Pain shot through her as his claws dug into her skin. "Let her go!" Rowan roared, finally reaching the shore. He threw the water key toward Jace, who grabbed it despite his injuries. Celeste shrieked in fury. "Get the key!" Chaos occurred. Shadow warriors fought with Kael and the recovering Jace. Rowan, soaked and desperate, lunged at Darius.
The rogue Alpha swiped him aside like he was nothing. "Your mate can’t save you," Darius told Liana. "None of them can." Liana felt something inside her snap. Not fear—rage. Pure, burning rage that started in her chest and spread like flames. Her wolf surged forward, not asking approval. Gold light burst from her skin, blinding everyone nearby. Darius howled in pain, releasing her arm as his skin burned from her touch. "She’s shifting!" someone yelled. The world blurred as bones cracked and reassembled. Liana had never shifted before—omegas rarely could. But this wasn’t an omega dog emerging. It was something old. Something strong. When the light faded, a silver dog stood where Liana had been. Larger than any omega had a right to be, with eyes that glowed like molten gold. "Luna’s spirit," Elder Mira had called it. The reincarnated power of a slain queen. The silver wolf growled at Darius, who backed away in shock. Then she turned toward Celeste, who clutched her chest in sudden fear. "Stop her!" Celeste led her warriors. They hesitated, feeling death in those golden eyes. In the chaos, Rowan crawled toward the water key that had fallen near Jace. His hand closed around it, and for one terrible moment, his eyes met Celeste’s across the battlefield. "Bring it to me," she mouthed, her hand sparking with purple energy that matched his crystal. "End your pain forever." Rowan felt the curse stirring beneath his skin, ready to return the moment the crystal’s power faded. Blood will choose blood over bond, Talia had predicted. He looked at Liana’s dog form, then at his brothers fighting for their lives. Then back at the key in his hand. With a cry of sorrow, he made his choice. As the silver wolf lunged at Darius, Kael found himself surrounded. Six fighters closed in, their shadow blades ready.
There was no escape. "Don’t you touch my brother!" Jace shouted, somehow on his feet again despite his injuries. He threw himself at the warriors, giving Kael an opening. In that moment, Kael locked eyes with Rowan, who stood at the edge of the falls, the water key glinting in his hand. "Rowan, what are you doing?" Kael called. His brother’s face was a mask of pain and strife. The purple crystal in his pocket glowed with dark energy, and red veins began creeping up his neck once more. "I’m sorry," Rowan whispered, looking at the key. "I can’t do this anymore." With one final, desperate glance at his family, Rowan turned and jumped into the churning water of Blood Falls—taking the key with him. "No!" Celeste screamed, running toward the edge. But Rowan had disappeared beneath the crimson waters, leaving only ripples to mark his choice. And nobody knew if he’d chosen rescue or betrayal.
