Bound By Destiny - Thorian and Emmeral

[Thorian Thalric]

The icy wind howled through the peaks of the Blackfrost Range, carrying with it the scent of blood, fear, and something far more insidious... dark magic. The massive iron gates of Eboncrest Citadel stood firm against the elements, but within its walls, unrest stirred.

A Frostclaw warrior burst into the grand hall, his breath heaving in white puffs. He dropped to one knee, fist over heart in deference. “My King, survivors from another pack have stumbled into our lands... wounded, desperate. They bring warnings.”

Thorian Thalric stood from his seat, broad shoulders squared, piercing frostfire eyes narrowing. His presence alone was a force of command, the weight of his crown heavy but never wavering. “Where?”

“The eastern border, near the Veilwood. Our patrol intercepted them, but they refused to be turned away. They demand to speak to you.”

Without hesitation, Thorian strode past his warriors, his long cloak swirling behind him. His boots crunched against the frozen earth as he emerged into the open courtyard where a small group of battered werewolves had been held back by his warriors.

One of them... a grizzled male, barely standing, his fur streaked with the crimson of battle... lifted his head. “My King,” he rasped, bowing as best he could. “Please... you must listen. We are all that’s left.”

Thorian stepped forward, his towering form casting a shadow over the trembling wolves. “Speak.”

“They came at night. Rogues, but... they were not themselves. Their eyes, their movements... it was as if they were something else entirely. Dark magic turned them into monsters.” He swallowed hard. “They slaughtered everyone. Our Alpha fell, our Luna…” His voice cracked. “We barely escaped. And she...”

Thorian’s gaze sharpened. “Who?”

“Emmeral,” the wolf croaked. “She fought harder than any of us, held them back so we could run. If she lives, it is only because she is too stubborn to die.”

Something stirred in Thorian, a whisper at the edge of his mind, a pull deep in his bones. But he dismissed it for the moment.

His voice was cold and commanding. “Beta, gather warriors and meet me at the front gates. Now.”

Through their mind-link, his Beta responded immediately. As you command, my King.

Thorian turned back to the battered wolves. “You’re safe now. Tend to your wounds.” Without waiting for a response, he strode towards the gates.

Minutes later, his Beta and a dozen warriors arrived. With a sharp nod, Thorian shifted.

Bones snapped, muscle expanded, and in mere seconds, the man was gone... replaced by a towering beast of dark silver-gray fur, streaked with the faint, ethereal glow of blue that shimmered under the moonlight. His piercing eyes burned with a frostfire glow as Draco took full control. Without hesitation, the rest of the warriors followed, shifting into their wolves and taking off into the night.

Through the snow-laden pines they raced, silent shadows moving with purpose. Thorian led the charge, the scent of blood thick in the air. But then... something else. Faint, yet unmistakable.

A scent that sent a jolt through his entire being. "It can’t be." Thorian says confused. Draco growled, the sound raw and possessive. "Mate."

Thorian’s breath hitched, his powerful strides faltering for a mere second before instinct took over. His pulse thundered, denial warring with primal need. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Not now. Not like this. They pushed harder, running at full speed toward the source of the scent. Every second mattered.

They found her at the base of a jagged rock outcrop, half-buried in the snow, blood soaking into the ice beneath her. Even in ruin, she was striking... dark hair tangled with frost, her body battered but unbroken in spirit. Shadow clung to her skin, shifting like living tendrils, fighting to keep her hidden from the world. Thorian shifted back, kneeling beside her. His hand hesitated only for a moment before he touched her, fingers brushing against her ice-cold skin. A force unlike anything he had ever known surged through him.

The air around them crackled. A blinding pulse of silver-blue energy erupted from where their skin met, sending a shockwave through the clearing. Frost spread outward in jagged veins, the ground beneath them quaking. For the first time in his reign, Thorian felt powerless against something greater than himself. Her body shuddered, and with a gasping breath, her eyes fluttered open. The moment their gazes met, the tether locked into place. Silence stretched between them, the weight of the moment sinking in. Disbelief warred in his chest, the reality of what had just happened pressing down like an iron weight.

His Beta’s voice cut through the frozen air. “Is she alive, my King?”

Thorian blinked, the spell of the moment breaking. He exhaled sharply. “She is.”

“No other survivors were found,” his Beta added grimly.

Thorian’s jaw clenched. “Send the trackers to the border. See if they can pick up any remaining trails.”

His Beta bowed his head. “And what of her?”

Thorian glanced down at the unconscious female in his arms, his emotions a storm of chaos. He should have felt victorious, relieved. Instead, rage simmered beneath his skin.

"Why now?" he thought bitterly. "Of all times, why now?"

Draco’s voice rumbled in his mind. "The Moon Goddess has decided. She is ours."

"She is a burden I cannot afford right now." Thorian responded. 

The wolf growled lowly. "She is fate."

Thorian exhaled sharply. This wasn’t a battle he would win. Not against destiny itself. With a final glance at his Beta, he made his decision.

“I’m taking her back to Eboncrest.” he said to his Beta without taking another glance back at him. Lifting her effortlessly into his arms, he turned and began the long trek back through the forest. Each step felt heavier than the last, the weight of what had just happened pressing down on him harder than ever before. 

As Thorian approached the gates of Eboncrest, he mind-linked his best healer "I need you in the infirmary now!" without waiting for the healer to respond Thorian made his way through the courtyard towards the infirmary. Without having to say a word the path was cleared for him. As he laid her down on the bed in the private room, Thorian couldn't help but stare at her. "Is Lunara serious right now?" he asks in a barely audible whisper. 

"The moon goddess knows what is best. And when." Draco responded. 

[Emmeral Langley]

Meeting him with patience as he became preoccupied with her words. Deep within thoughts as he moved to sit directly across from her. The action innocent but the bond thrived upon the smaller divide.

Nothing began to make sense without Thorian. In his absence cold despite their warm-blooded attributes.

His presence felt like it grounded within her, calmed her inner storm but made it that much more chaotic in nature.

Calling Thorian by his name meant they were one step closer to acknowledging their pairing which Emmeral was not opposed to but the need for Thorian to seek answers with her than completely bar off from her was required.

Aeris's brief absence brought comfort naturally for Emmeral, the scent of food had Emmeral's stomach almost sing in need of nourishment as her gaze briefly left Thorian's to assess the assorted goods upon the trolley.

His enquiry returning her gaze back to him with an admission as she nodded "Desired. Your scent is strong - Unsure if it is due to the bond but it complicates things" her soft tone remained as the slight representation of a smirk rested to the edges of her lips.

Emmeral was not shyful, she was not beyond admissional statements.

Her features soft as her words as she spoke "I've already cheated death once, if you were to decide to deny the bond - especially in my current state - I would not survive the severe" honesty being met as both understood the extend of a bonds breakage, she just wanted to remind him of what was current as they discussed it "Our wolves are naturals towards bonds, they would remain incomplete from connecting to one another's thoughts and feelings as we would. The bond gives us a taste of one another, marking would have you hear me, communicate with me, feel me."

Andarna sighed to human complications "We may not be connected but I - as you - can feel his attraction, his desires towards you. Why does he fight it?"

Emmeral appeared calm before Thorian as she laughed within her head "He fights within himself, his fight is not really with me. He fears what he cannot control."

Andarna scoffed in amusement but frustration "...Humans..."

As if knowing to her mental discussion, Thorian spoke of his complications, feeling the weight within his words, the anger displayed within his knuckles as his grip tightened on the armrest briefly.

Allowing silence to rest between them as Emmeral was not one to withhold as Thorian was, feeling sorry for his wolf who would surely be fighting with him in mind constantly. His words filling the space between "I understand the gravity of weight you have upon your shoulders. I do see where you are coming from but do you think Lunara would gift either of us if it wasn't what was best?" rhetorically speaking as she continued "I may of been out of it, but it seemed Eirik had much to stop himself from saying about our pairing."

Thankful he would meet her in the middle to seek answers between their pairing than act on his human instinct.

A withheld breath exhaled and relaxed upon Emmeral's shoulders of his words as he stated he was willing to try "Thankyou..." the turnover of seconds upon the clock within the room filled her brief seconds of pause before she added "That is all I ask of you; to seek answers before judgement is ruled."

Aeris establishing her presence as their breakfast was ready for consumption. Emmeral was unable to ignore the tightness within her stomach as food would provide more energy, her gaze having to forcibly rip from Thorian's towards Aeris. 

An appreciative and respectful lower nod of Emmy's head "Thankyou for your kindness and patience with me Aeris" sifting her eyes towards the meal that laid in wait for their consumption "if I may hassle one of you for assistance to the balcony?" rising to her feet with a little more ease but her side and shoulder pressure concern to her features as the small wounds to her leg hadn't quiet healed fully.

[Thorian Thalric]

Thorian’s jaw flexed at her words, the honesty in them a weight he could not so easily cast aside. She did not hold back... not in her words, not in her gaze. There was no trace of artifice in her admission. If he chose to deny the bond, to reject what fate had laid before them, she would not survive it.

It was a truth he already knew. But hearing it aloud, from her lips, struck a deeper chord.

Draco stirred within him, restless and unyielding. “She speaks truth,” his wolf rumbled. “You feel it too, do you not? If we reject her now, it will destroy her... and it will destroy us.”

Thorian’s fingers curled once more against the leather armrest before he forced them to relax. He had spent years keeping himself guarded, the walls around him crafted out of necessity. Yet here she sat, challenging those walls without fear.

And the most infuriating part?

He wanted her to.

His thoughts remained tangled even as Aeris finished setting up the balcony. The crisp air swept in, carrying with it the scent of pine and frost, a welcome contrast to the warmth rising beneath his skin. Emmeral’s request for assistance drew his attention, and without waiting for Aeris to respond, he pushed himself to his feet.

“I’ll help you,” he said, his voice low but firm.

Crossing the short distance between them, Thorian extended a hand. The act was simple enough, but the weight of it settled between them. His palm hovered just inches from hers, waiting for her to take it. When her fingers slid against his, a jolt passed through the bond... a sharp pulse of energy he could not ignore.

The moment she stood, he steadied her, noting the tension in her frame as her wounds strained against the movement. Without thought, his other hand lifted, brushing against her waist as if to shield her from further pain.

"Too natural," he thought. "Too easy."

Draco let out a huff of satisfaction. “Because she is ours.”

Ignoring his wolf’s smugness, Thorian guided her toward the open balcony, ensuring she was seated comfortably before returning to the room. His gaze darkened as it swept over the subtle stiffness in her movements. She was far from healed, and while her spirit remained unyielding, her body was less forgiving.

He would not risk her worsening.

Without hesitation, he reached out through the pack link, his mind brushing against the familiar presence of Eirik.

"Come to Emmeral's chambers," he commanded. "You can do the examination here."

The healer’s response came swiftly, calm as always. "At once, My King."

When Thorian stepped back onto the balcony, Emmeral’s posture had softened slightly, though the weight of their conversation still lingered in the air between them. He lowered himself into the chair across from her once more, regarding her with an unreadable expression.

“I do not take this lightly,” he admitted, his voice quiet but edged with resolve. “I understand what is at stake. And while I cannot promise to give you everything you ask for immediately, I will not turn my back on what Lunara has decreed.”

He leaned back slightly, the chill breeze brushing against his skin. “If there are answers to be found, we will find them together.”

The words settled between them, their weight as tangible as the bond threading through his core.

Not long after, a knock sounded at the door.

“Enter,” Thorian called, already knowing who it was.

Eirik stepped inside, his keen gaze sweeping over the room before settling on Emmeral. With a respectful nod to his king, the healer approached the balcony, his hands clasped behind his back.

“You called for me, My King?” Eirik asked with a slight bow. 

Thorian inclined his head. “She has not fully healed. I prefer you to examine her here rather than taking her to the infirmary.”

Eirik’s brow furrowed with faint concern, but he merely nodded, stepping toward Emmeral with the measured calm that defined him. “May I?” he asked, his voice softer as he addressed her directly.

As Eirik began his assessment, Thorian remained silent, his thoughts turning back to something Eirik had mentioned.

The Frostbound Oath.

He waited until the healer’s hands glowed faintly with healing energy before speaking. “When you first heard we were mates,” he began, his tone sharper with intent, “you mentioned the Frostbound Oath. Explain it.”

Eirik’s hands stilled briefly before resuming their work. “It is one of the oldest pacts in our history,” he said carefully. “Forged when the first true Alpha of Frostclaw swore fealty not only to Lunara but to the bond itself. The oath binds not just mates, but their wolves and their destinies.”

His gaze flicked briefly to Emmeral, as if measuring his next words. “When two destined souls are joined under the Frostbound Oath, it is said they carry the strength of the first Alpha’s promise. To reject the bond is to risk unraveling the balance between wolf and man.”

Thorian’s fingers tapped once against the armrest, the words cutting deeper than he anticipated. “And if the bond is honored?”

Eirik inclined his head. “It is said no force... not even dark magic... can break what is forged under the Frostbound Oath. It is a union not just of the heart, but of power. And with it comes the responsibility to protect what Lunara has gifted.”

Draco stirred again, more forcefully this time. “Do you see?” he growled. “She is our strength as much as we are hers. We do not stand alone. And neither does she.”

Thorian said nothing at first, his gaze fixed on the healer. A union of power.

His voice was quieter when he finally spoke, but no less resolute. “What happens if one of us fails to uphold it?”

Eirik hesitated, but only briefly. “Then the bond fractures beyond repair,” he said. “And both will fall.”

The words settled heavily, the weight of ancient promises echoing through the silence.

Thorian’s expression remained unreadable, but inside, something shifted.

Failure is not an option.

[Emmeral Langley]

Emmeral a leader of her own within the Night Shade pack, she was no Luna nor an Alpha but she held her own within presence, within the field, within herself. The Night Shade held their traditions but presented as equal to all within their pack, noone was lower than another unless within reasoning. Lunara seeking those qualities fit for Thorian's side as an equal, a balancer, as a ruler in her own way that strengthened Thorian and his pack. Andarna in her own right a leader, a mirrored image in wolf form of Emmeral.

This connection she had to seek out its reasoning, whether that'd be a lesson or a blessing.

Acknowledged to Thorian's more forwarded approach upon her request for assistance, a softened expression appearing to surprise Emmeral upon his actions.

Her gaze lowering as her hand slowly reached out for his, thankful as she slowly eased to her feet, ignoring the aching burn of sensation within her thigh were remains of dark magic lingered under her skin.

Rendering her healing to a slower rate.

Its means summed down to a regenerative delay than the knowledge of it needing to be removed to aid her legs to heal. Having never been to the extent that she had it was easy as a non trained healer to see.

A sensation of electricity surged between them, pulsating beneath the surface the moment their hands touched. An almost pull beckoning her forward as her breath slightly hitched. As if the action in itself eased over her entirety the moment their skin touched. Her gaze lowering to his hand that brushed against her waist and although clothed it felt as though he seared the very point of contact as she no longer felt the extent of her pain.

"His helping you" Andarna hummed within the back of her mind.

"His helping me" Emmeral stated as Andarna giggled almost child-like.

"Can't you feel he is not blocking you through the bond?" Emmeral took a moment before Andarna added "His comforting you through the bond, a destined reach, his soothing your pain"

Appreciative to taking their time as Emmy began to move, Emmeral could feel her movements were heavy but she felt this invisible lean towards Thorian.

Her gaze brief towards Thorian's face as he aided her to sit. His absence bringing acknowledge to his eased touch as her body's fatigue remained in hand with her resilience. The morning still breezed a comforting cold that felt amazing against her skin, the looming rise upon the mountains of the sun kissed her skin bringing more warmth to her complexion. A moment of basking in its warmth as her body eased into the cushioned chairs comfort.

Emmeral's gaze scanning the comforts between them as Thorian took his seat, his firmness to his words as he acknowledged the bonds reasoning and seeking answers to their pairing which was all that Emmeral asked. His agreement meeting her as if final, her pressed lips telling that he was speaking down to her as a matter of factly. Small battles "Thankyou, My King" her gaze unwavering as his internal battles towards her would remain formal unless things ended up changing between them.

"Play nicely" Andarna reminded.

Mentally rolling her eyes as Emmeral stated "I am, otherwise I would of chewed his head off about speaking to people as equals than above them"

Andarna shoved against Emmeral's mind in warning "If he bites back, that's on you" sighing as she went towards the back.

As Eirik entered with an always welcomed kindness, Emmeral bowed her head in return within his presence "By all means" following his hands as they glowed faintly with his healing energy, feeling an almost tickled sensation of small tears and wounds slowly regenerative in healing. Taking a moment to grab some bacon and putting it in her mouth, the taste watering her taste buds further having been deprived of anything since the attack. She was starving.

Her gaze shifted towards Thorian as he spoke of the Frostbound Oath. One of which she had never heard stories of. The First True Alpha's binding law of loyalty to Lunara, the bond he shared with his Luna and their counterparts binding them together in a unity of strength and leadership. 2 parts of a whole.

Their binding running deeper than anticipated.

Andarna stirred within Emmeral's mind "They are ours. Our strength. Our equals. Our gift of loyalty to Lunara."

Hearing both sides as Emmy nibbled small on the gathering of food, felt overwhelming but Emmeral did not shy away from the bond, hadn't since its tethering, a fire in her that surely spoke volumes between them - It is said no force... not even dark magic... can break what is forged under the Frostbound Oath. - Emmeral's expression slipped from composure as she had never heard of a thing that could go against dark magic itself.

Unable to make a meaning verbal response as she sipped on her water and nibbled her food nervously as Thorian asked if the bond is not upheld, the answer she knew but with the greater reward would mean an even greater downfall. To where both of them would not survive - Higher chances of fated breaking their bonds of both or at least one surviving but a Frostbound Oath had neither of them come out of this.

Unable to look towards Thorian, for the first time fearing what she would see as she lowered to watch the healers work "If we don't mark one another, what happens?" mustering with a leveled voice as the bond gave away her sorrows for him knowing his current unwanted means of tying to her, no one should be bound to another in such a way. There had to be a choice still.

[Thorian Thalric]

The room held a heavy stillness, the kind that seeped into every breath and tangled with unspoken thoughts. The faint hum of Eirik's magic pulsed softly in the air, tendrils of warmth brushing against Thorian's skin as the healer worked. Beyond the open balcony doors, the crisp mountain breeze swept through, carrying with it the earthy scent of pine and the distant promise of frost.

The ghost of her touch still lingered against his palm. When he had helped Emmeral to her feet, her hand in his felt too small, too fragile... yet the power beneath her skin hummed in quiet defiance. That moment of contact, brief as it was, had shaken something loose within him. The bond had surged... an undeniable, electric pull... and for one breathless instant, he had allowed it. Allowed himself to ease the pain threading through her body with his presence. And in doing so, a part of him had settled in a way he did not understand.

It disturbed him more than he cared to admit.

Thorian remained silent as Eirik continued his work, his thoughts an unrelenting storm beneath his calm exterior. Emmeral's question lingered in the air, fragile but weighted: "If we don't mark one another, what happens?" It echoed within him, stirring something primal and uneasy.

His eyes, the frostfire hue muted in thought, traced the healer's careful hands as they glowed with a soft, golden light over Emmeral's injuries. Her body, though resilient, still bore the strain of dark magic... a poison that gnawed at her strength, delaying her recovery. And yet, despite her weakened state, her resolve did not falter. Thorian could feel it through the bond, that fiery core of defiance and will. She would not bend easily.

"You feel it too," Draco murmured within him, the great wolf's voice rough and edged with longing. "She is ours. There is no escaping that."

"I never wanted this," Thorian admitted silently, his jaw tensing as he leaned back into his chair. The worn leather creaked softly beneath his weight.

"What you want no longer matters," Draco countered, a low growl reverberating in his tone. "What matters is what is. And she is our mate. This Oath..." He paused, his voice softening. "It binds us deeper than any other pair. You cannot deny that."

Thorian's fingers curled against the armrest, tension flickering through his knuckles. The Frostbound Oath. A legacy as old as the first True Alpha. It was more than just a bond... it was a covenant forged by Lunara herself. A promise of unity. Strength. Eternity.

And if broken...

He exhaled slowly, focusing on the weight of Emmeral's question as he finally turned his gaze toward her. For the first time since Eirik began his explanation, he truly looked at her. The sunlight kissed the edges of her dark hair, framing her face in a soft halo. There was an ease to her outward composure, but the bond betrayed her. Beneath that surface lay a storm of sorrow and uncertainty.

She feared for them.

And perhaps, for the first time, so did he.

Eirik, sensing the tension thickening between them, allowed the hum of his magic to settle before he spoke again, his voice steady but grave. "The Frostbound Oath is not simply a myth. It was the first sacred vow sworn by the True Alpha and his Luna... a binding not only of hearts but of power. The Moon Goddess herself wove it into the bloodline of the Frostclaw rulers. You two are part of that legacy."

He hesitated, his expression shadowing with the weight of what he would say next. "If the bond is not upheld... if you do not accept one another and mark each other... the consequences are irreversible. The bond will not simply fade as with other fated pairs. It will consume you both. Without the mark, your connection will remain unstable, and over time... it will break you."

Thorian's breath stilled in his chest. Break us.

Draco stirred uneasily. "We would not survive it."

Eirik's voice softened as he continued, "The Oath was never meant to be a chain... it is a gift. A union of equals, stronger together than apart. It binds your souls, your wolves, your power. To reject it is to reject the Goddess herself. And the Goddess does not take lightly to those who defy her will."

Thorian's grip tightened. It was one thing to bear the weight of his kingdom... he had always known that would be his burden. But this? A force beyond his control, binding him to another with no room for refusal? It threatened every wall he had ever built.

His eyes never left Emmeral as she quietly nibbled on a piece of bacon, her face composed but her energy trembling beneath the surface. There was no mockery in her posture, no challenge. Only a quiet, fierce strength. And a sorrow she tried... and failed... to hide from him.

"Why would Lunara do this?" he asked aloud, the question slipping free before he could stop it. 

Eirik’s brows furrowed as he considered the question. "Perhaps because she knows you cannot face what lies ahead alone. This is no ordinary bond, Your Majesty. She has chosen your mate carefully... someone who can match your strength, temper your darkness, and walk beside you, not behind you. You may not understand it yet, but there is purpose in her will."

"She is our equal, fool." Draco growled. "Lunara wouldn't have chosen her if she wasn't good for us."

A cold weight settled in Thorian’s chest. He did not want to accept that someone else... anyone else... could hold such sway over him. That she could become his undoing, or worse, his only salvation.

Draco's voice rumbled low, softer now. "You do not have to trust the bond yet. But you must trust her. And if you cannot do that, then show her why she should trust us."

The truth was bitter but undeniable. No matter his protests, no matter how much he fought against the bond’s pull, it was there. Constant. Irrevocable.

And it was only growing stronger.

Thorian shifted his gaze back to Eirik, his voice steady despite the turmoil beneath it. "The mark... " he began, his words deliberate. "Is there a time when it must be done? A limit before the bond... takes more than it gives?"

Eirik’s expression darkened, the weight of his next words heavy in the air. "There is a limit," he confirmed, his tone grave. "The bond will tolerate its unsealed state for a short while... but not long. You have until the next full moon. If you have not marked each other by then, the bond will turn. It will no longer draw you together... it will tear you apart. And once that begins, nothing can stop it."

"Five weeks," Thorian muttered under his breath, the calculation sharp and immediate in his mind. The words hung between them like an unspoken vow... a countdown neither of them could afford to ignore.

[Emmeral Langley]

Although composed, Emmeral knew the bond was giving away what her exterior didn't.

Her eyesight fixated towards Eirik's healing as both internal and external recovery was made, her breathing more leveled than a bruising pressure, her shoulder fused back to normal, her thigh remained outside of Eirik's healing scope as a blood transfusion would complete her healing process to finish.

Feeling herself becoming more whole but remained in feeling of defeat through the bond which was now apparent to their unfinished tethering within the bond.

Eirik's words stirred Andarna forward "Lunara's gift is for those strong enough to uphold its vow, she would not choose if she was not certain of your pairing"

"Fuck..." Emmeral mentally sighed as the soldier in Emmeral was not able to sacrifice her pain for Thorian to move forward with the potential of a chosen or gifted a second chance, their binding far deeper than either of them could imagine.

Keeping knowledge to herself of the feeling of slipping the longer she was hear, thought to her delayed healing playing into as she had dislocated her shoulder, been stabbed countless times and able to recover after a few days - This ran deeper even with dark magic and pack loss involvement. Their unpairing was already killing her.

Emmeral could feel the tension rolling off of Thorian, could see the tightened grip upon the armchair he took seat upon, the burn of gaze towards her that she blocked herself from feeling through the bond.

Her own sights burning focus towards Eirik and his words before Thorian's invisibly stabbed her in the chest with Lunara's choice and action, a slight short exhale of breath that Emmeral was unsure whether she had been withholding or the reality of their situation made reveal as she continued to combat the fever of her physical limitations.

Eiriks words calculated and Emmeral appreciated none the less his forwardness towards our enquiries, leaving no shyness of answers of what he had learned of the old Oath.

"Neither of you can run, hide or challenge what Lunara has given. You must find a way to walk together" Andarna spoke softly as if in an attempt to sooth the pressure present within Emmy's mind, heart and bond.

Silence heavy between them as they both soaked up the lore of the Oath that now connected to them.

As if the mere acknowledgement of the mark had the bond sear over Emmeral's body, as if pulled towards action that would not come. 

Refusal in welcoming as Emmeral remained in eating, silent as Thorian spoke with Eirik.

The clock upon them now as they had till the next full moon to seek the judgement of their bond.

An almost ache within the bond as Emmeral reached out, as if apologizing to place him in this predicament.

She had been apart a now fallen pack and he still ruled strong.

This brought complication neither of them wanted and yet here they were tied together.

Reaching for her water as she took a generous amount before asking; her tone soft but level, an unreadable sorrow within her gaze as she dared to meet his "How must we spend this time?"

[Thorian Thalric]

The weight of Eirik's words hung heavy, settling into the marrow of Thorian's bones. Five weeks. That was all the time they had before the bond turned against them. A union meant to strengthen could very well destroy them both if left unfulfilled. The Frostbound Oath was not simply a tradition... it was an unyielding command from the Goddess herself.

Draco stirred within him, the great wolf restless beneath the surface. "You cannot deny what she is to us," he rumbled, his voice low and insistent. "This is no ordinary bond. You feel it as I do."

Thorian's jaw clenched, his gaze drifting toward Emmeral where she remained seated. Her expression was calm, but the bond told a different truth. Beneath the surface, she trembled. Not with fear... no, that would have been easier to manage... but with the weight of an ache he felt echoing in himself.

"It is not as simple as accepting it," Thorian retorted in the silence of his mind. "I did not ask for this."

"And yet it is ours," Draco growled, his tone edged with something dangerously close to longing. "Lunara chose her. There is reason in that."

Thorian's gaze lingered on her longer than he intended. The sunlight played along the strands of her dark hair, brushing against the graceful curve of her neck. She should not hold his attention so easily. She should not be capable of unraveling the control he had forged over decades. And yet, here she was... a complication he could not escape.

"She is already suffering because of our distance," Draco said, softer now. "You feel it. The bond does not lie. Every moment we resist weakens her. And it will weaken us too."

The truth scraped against the edges of his pride, an uncomfortable and bitter thing. Emmeral's delayed healing, the fever curling beneath her skin... it was not mere consequence of her injuries or the dark magic. It was the bond, frayed and raw, demanding what had not yet been given.

When she finally spoke, her voice was quiet but clear. "How must we spend this time?" this caused Thorian's gaze to  shift from her to Eirik, the healer meeting his eyes with the calm steadiness he had come to expect. There was no judgment in his expression... only knowledge, and the burden of it.

"You must come to know one another," Eirik answered, his voice even. "The bond thrives on connection, and resisting it will only feed the strain you both feel. Spend time together. Learn each other's strengths, weaknesses..." His gaze flickered briefly toward Emmeral, a glint of sympathy in his expression. "Trust is the foundation of the Frostbound Oath. Without it, the bond cannot hold."

Thorian let those words settle, the implications heavy. Time. That was their only advantage... and their greatest threat. "Is there no other way?" His question came quietly, but the tension beneath it was sharp. "No ritual to sever the bond before it consumes us?"

Eirik hesitated, a rare uncertainty flashing across his face. "Not without consequences far worse than death," he admitted. "The Frostbound Oath cannot be broken by force. It is sacred... immutable. If you attempt to sever it, the backlash would destroy both of you." He inclined his head slightly. "The only way forward is together."

Together. Thorian repeated in his mind. 

Draco huffed softly. "You heard him," the wolf said, a note of satisfaction threading his voice. "No escaping her, no matter how much you fight it. And you should not want to."

Thorian pushed back against the weight of Draco's certainty, unwilling to admit how much his wolf's words rang true. But beneath his defiance, there was no denying the pull had grown stronger. Even now, across the room, he felt the bond hum with quiet insistence... a call he was no longer sure he could ignore.

Eirik shifted his attention toward Emmeral, his tone gentler as he spoke. "Your healing progresses well," he informed her, his magic still faintly pulsing in the air. "But the strain on your body remains. The bond itself is drawing from your strength. If you continue to resist, the damage will worsen." He paused for a moment before adding, "Accepting the bond... allowing it to settle... will ease your recovery."

His words hung between them, heavy with truth neither could dismiss.

With a respectful nod toward Thorian, Eirik stepped back. "I will take my leave," he said, his tone carefully neutral. "If you require anything further, send word."

Thorian gave a curt nod in response, watching as the healer turned and departed, the quiet click of the door echoing through the chamber. And just like that, they were alone again.

Silence stretched between them, thick and unyielding.

Draco's voice stirred once more, quiet but unwavering. "You cannot hold the world on your shoulders alone, Thorian. Whether you wish it or not... she is ours. And time is running out."

[Emmeral Langley]

Something stirred within Emmeral, a statement of anger. Simmering below the allure of the bond. Finding ones fated was meant to of happiness, not sorrow, not pain, not hesitation. Although Emmeral hadn't thought she would come across her fated, regardless she should be happy - instead she was met with infuriation. Disregard for what was tradition, like she was unworthy.

"Show him" Andarna lured forward, attempting to be helpful when a human counterpart disagreed in view. Emmeral forced her to the back of her mind again, dismissive.

"I may be a Delta, but any status placed wolf is paired with their true counterpart in human and wolf. Thorian has a disregard for everything. Has to have a reasoning and control. I do not wish to pair with a King who feels above all. Even above Lunara's reasoning" Emmeral's jaw flexed in tension as she forced what strength to distance what tethering she could hold on to within the bond, a strong feeling of coldness shaking her, pushing against her to not resist but she needed to try against the heavy current that rattled within her, as if helping him make the choice he already had made without stating the rejection towards her "If he does not want to feel the bond... me... then I will distance myself." trying to not have her emotional tethering factor into his mindset.

Mere a minute had passed, a statement of emptiness that Emmeral didn't like before she winced as her body invisibly shook as if the bond snapped back into its full force punishing her for the unnatural means of attempt, even harder in remaining tethered to Thorian, as if Lunara herself was stating fact that they should be perfectly paired. Her eyes crystalized in shifts of blue and purple, statement to her new form as Luna and Thorian's perfect balance.

Andarna growled displeased "Thorian and Draco can feel you, theirs no way to slow or block the bond. You have till the next full moon to-"

"To what - Die. Thorian has made his choice. He just hasn't said the words his pride has already wanted" Emmeral's green hues returned as the fever began to set to her forehead, worsened by her distancing. Yet, Emmeral strong in nature gripped the chair for support to remain present.

As Eirik spoke of having to get to know one another, statement she had just learned that going against the bond surged on togetherness, anything outside of the natural nature of connection would affect them. Her eyes met Eirik's and although she was not apart of the pack, she could feel his sympathy that read within his gaze towards her.

Hearing Thorian question in the interest of finding away to not be bound, factual of his self-interest apparent as Emmeral took another long drink of water, savoring the feel of coldness down her throat as she splashed a bit upon her forehead. Wondering what was worse than death, surely even they were granted the potential for second chance mates. Maybe Thorian would find someone to his liking.

"Stop it" Andarna pressed against her mind, angered and sympathetic in her soft tone, dislike towards Emmeral's lowering of self worth because Thorian simply didn't know anything about her.

Emmeral lacked interest to sing the same tune in conversation with Andarna, as Emmy was in agreement to the bond, it was Thorian who shifted the mindset of what should be "Egomainiac!"

Andarna laughed to which Emmeral mentally laughed as well. This man infuriated her.

Focusing on Eirik's words, having acknowledged to the fact of the bond drawing on her strength, feeling less of herself by the hour. Her eyes swept briefly towards Thorian whom held more resist than she, meeting Eirik's gaze thankful none the less as she slowly eased a statement of frustration through a sigh. Before Eirik's departure, Emmeral lowered her head in bow towards Eirik "Thankyou for your kindness Healer Eirik and thankyou for giving us insight into the Oath."

Her eyes focusing on the sound and visual of Eirik's departure, the sound of her chamber door sealing the room shut with only Emmeral and Thorian within. The whispering breeze welcoming against her skin to sooth the fever she was strong to conceal.

...Silence... 

The certainty of Thorian's presence coiled around her naturally that Emmeral tried to find balance within, she could feel the strong pull almost beckoning to take hold of, hearing his heart rate pump as she stopped picking at the left over of food upon her plate. Irritation through her words as she spoke up "Why do you fight the bond? Is there already a she-wolf your eye seeks? I'm just trying to see reasoning that is Thorian Thalric."her anger revealing as she pushed back her plate and rose to her feet, ignoring her weakened state as she attempted to move back indoors "You don't even know me."

[Thorian Thalric]

The weight of Eirik's words lingered long after the door closed behind him, leaving only silence in his wake. Alone once more, Thorian remained still, his hands curling into fists at his sides as his thoughts churned. The Frostbound Oath... an unyielding decree, binding him to a fate he had not chosen. Five weeks. Five weeks to either accept the bond or face the consequences.

Draco prowled within his mind, restless and impatient. "She is ours," the great wolf rumbled, his tone a low, insistent growl. "Fighting this only brings pain... to you, to her. What purpose does your defiance serve?"

Thorian exhaled sharply, his control strained beneath the weight of the truth. "Purpose?" he echoed bitterly. "I did not ask for this bond. I did not ask for a mate... especially not now." His voice in the mind-link was cold, but beneath it simmered something deeper... something raw and unsettled.

"Yet Lunara chose her," Draco pressed. "Do you think the Goddess makes mistakes? That you know better than she?" The wolf's words held no mockery... only conviction. "You know as well as I do... if you push too far, it will destroy her. And it will destroy you. Destroy us."

Thorian's jaw tightened. He wanted to refute it, to dismiss the bond as an inconvenient entanglement, but he could not. Even now, with distance between them, the connection hummed... an ever-present ache in the marrow of his bones. He felt her frustration, her anger. And beneath that, her pain.

For a man who had built his kingdom on control, this bond was a threat... one he could not simply break. The past had taught him how dangerous vulnerability could be. To open himself to another was to risk everything. And yet...

His gaze shifted toward Emmeral. She stood, anger flashing in her eyes as her words cut through the silence. Her voice trembled slightly, but her defiance was clear. She pushed her plate aside and rose to her feet, her weakened state betrayed only by the faint sway in her posture. The accusation hung heavy in the air.

For once, Thorian had no swift reply. Instead, he allowed the silence to stretch, considering how best to answer. His instinct was to meet her sharpness with his own... but doing so would only drive the wedge between them deeper. And after Eirik's warning, he could not afford that.

"Careful," Draco murmured. "Your words carry weight. Do not wound her more than you already have."

Thorian drew a slow breath, suppressing the sharp retort that threatened to rise. "You think I fight this because I am cruel. Or because of another?" he began at last, his voice quieter than before, but no less firm. "That I resist because you are unworthy. That is not the truth."

His hands flexed at his sides, the memories stirring unbidden. "A mate is meant to be a blessing, not a weapon," he continued, his tone edged with something colder. "But in my experience, those closest to me have always been used against me. You see as King... I cannot afford weakness." His words rang with the weight of years spent guarding himself against threats both seen and unseen. "And I'm not saying... that is what you will be.." he paused briefly "But a bond like ours... unbreakable... demands trust. Trust I do not give easily."

He hesitated then, the walls he had long upheld trembling under the force of her presence. But Draco's words echoed still, a quiet plea beneath the growl.

Another breath. Slower this time. "But," he added, his voice softening, "I know what is at stake. I will not let either of us fall to this bond's fury." He met her gaze fully then, the frost-blue depths of his eyes unyielding. "If you are willing to try... to meet me halfway... I will do the same. For both our sakes."

Before Emmeral could respond, the sharp pull of a mind-link seized him. His Beta's voice cut through, urgent and unwavering. "My King," Calder's tone was grim, "We've found another survivor. Barely breathing, but alive. I thought you would want to know."

Thorian's expression hardened, though he kept his gaze on Emmeral. "Where?" he demanded through the link.

"Near the southern border," Calder replied swiftly. "They were hidden beneath the snow. It's a miracle they lasted this long. We need you here."

A rare curse slipped past Thorian's lips, the weight of responsibility pulling him from the fragile conversation. He let the link fade, exhaling a heavy breath before speaking aloud. "Another survivor has been found," he told her, his voice edged with restrained urgency. "I am needed elsewhere."

A flicker of something... regret, perhaps... crossed his face. "I will return," he promised, softer now. "This conversation is not finished." He paused for a heartbeat, as if considering his next words carefully. "I apologize for leaving so suddenly." His tone, while still distant, held an edge of sincerity.

Without waiting for her reply, Thorian turned toward the door, each step heavy with the weight of duty. He stopped in the doorway and looked back at her "Do try to get some rest." he closed the door behind him, but even as he left, the bond tugged at his senses... an unrelenting reminder that no matter how far he went, he would not escape what Lunara had decreed.

[Emmeral Langley]

Emmeral's mind remained on the knowledge to Thorian's actions, his words speaking volumes of self-interest towards the bond, a disregard that Lunara had done him wrong.

Andarna's reasoning to beckon insight towards the man before them "He fights within himself. You can feel it through the bond. He, like you, is a warrior who's seen alot. Maybe we'll learn over this 5 weeks just how deep this bothers him" 

Silence settled as acknowledgement towards Andarna's attempt at helpfulness. Both of them trying to figure why their mate refuted them instantly. Mentally a sigh replaced silence "Serves as nothing but pain. He leads with only control and his own doctrine" perplexed of how much she had endured that her battle was yet far from over.

Her words soured from her mouth as she never imagined her mates disapproval of the natural order of their kind. His silence irritated her even more as she had been simmering on her emotions but she was exhausted mentally of what she had been through, this was the final straw of togetherness she mustered.

The tension in her draw slightly loosened as he did not meet her with his usual command, his tone surprised her with parted lip as she experienced his coldness of conceal as she muttered under her breath confidently "Trust goes both ways, as does the weight of this bond. I have seen both sides that a fated can bring and yet I stand before Lunara with unwavering devotion that I am paired with my true equal." more calmed seeing his headspace always remained in a diplomatic means, the warrior hard to lay down his sword and allow happiness in.

Emmeral couldn't help the glint of watery eyes that she refused to bring forward under his presence, unable to currently shake the self-centered infliction of saving his own skin. Chewing the inner of her cheek to refuse words that would only pain them further as she simply nodded to meeting him in the middle. As to whether they liked it or not, they were now in this together.

The feeling of knots constricting invisibly around her as his expression darkened, the feel of him drifting as if elsewhere before he cursed.

His words made all the pain flicker from her expression and bond as confirmation of another survivor was spoken "Night Shade?" her question falling short as Thorian was require for pack duties.

Who was Emmeral to stop him from his leadership.

Her gaze flashed surprised across her expression as he appeared and stated apology towards her, was the least aggressive he had been with her upon meeting.

Acknowledging his words with a nod to getting some rest in his absence.

A heartbeat passed before Thorian turned towards the door "Be careful, My King" her words mirrored within the bond as her tone was curious yet she reached out warning his treatment to be met with patience towards the survivor.

Little within her mind calming down as he left her by herself.

The room suddenly feeling colder without his presence, the bond ever present as the sounds of his footsteps disappeared, Emmeral remained standing for a few more minutes, question after question in wonder who the survivor was, where to begin building a connection with Thorian, before exhaustion ran through her and weakened her back to her seat.

Although the exterior was a beautiful and a peaceful view, Emmeral found her hunger as the scenery - cold. Picking apart a small piece of pastry before dropping it back onto the plate.

As life drew her gaze towards the door, Emmeral oddly thought maybe Thorian decided to remain but was quickly reminded otherwise as Aeris walked through in assist, taking over from where Thorian had left.

Her expression flickered disappointment before a soft and welcoming smile towards Aeris, lowering her head in bow in welcoming her as she stated her finish for breakfast, noting to save some for Thorian as she knew he had not eaten during breakfast within Eirik's presence.

Emmeral helping to gather items together to return on the trolley for the kitchen, saving a strawberry macaron aside for later as a treat. Before rising with assistance towards the bed.

"Aeris, tell me about Thorian? What is he like as a person?" she wondered Aeris's aid as she kept the dress on feeling comfortable and more alive within the free-flowing dress, as much as an enquiry should of been made as a King.

Emmeral could tell what kind of leader he already was - He cared for his people over himself. He was harder on himself in general and although he ruled with stated pride of his accomplishments, he wore his weaknesses closer to his chest to keep them in check so they weren't used against him. She could feel the distance he used, always meeting people at a distance than become close to them. A King who walked alone with the weight of his people.

[Thorian Thalric]

Thorian's steps echoed through the stone corridors as he made his way to the infirmary, Emmeral's voice still lingering in his mind.

"Be careful, My King." Her words... unexpected, laced with genuine concern... tightened something in his chest. She had every right to resent him, yet she offered caution instead. That, more than anything, unsettled him.

"You see it now," Draco rumbled within him. "She is not as fragile as you pretend to believe. Nor as indifferent."

Thorian did not respond immediately, his focus narrowing as the door to the infirmary came into view. The air inside was heavy with the sterile scent of herbs and faint traces of blood. His Beta, Calder, stood at the far side, speaking quietly with Eirik, who bent over the unconscious form on the healing table.

"What do we know?" Thorian's voice cut through the quiet, steady and sharp as steel.

Calder turned, his dark eyes hard with concern. "Male. Early twenties. Found near the southern edge of the Frostclaw border. He was half-dead when the patrol brought him in."

Thorian's gaze swept over the man's prone form, cataloging the evidence with a practiced eye. His body bore deep claw marks... some still raw despite Eirik's efforts... but it was the markings along his arms that caught his attention.

Not Nightshade.

The sigil inked into his forearm was unfamiliar... interwoven branches curled into a crescent moon. Another pack, but which one?

"Is he one of hers?" Draco’s question simmered in the back of his mind.

"No," Thorian answered aloud, turning toward Calder. "Not Nightshade. The tattoos confirm it."

Calder's jaw tightened. "Then who?"

Thorian shook his head. "I don’t know. But I want a team of our best warriors assembled immediately. If there’s another pack caught in this madness, I want to know. We cannot afford to be blind. The sigil marks him as Ashfen... but that pack was thought to have been destroyed decades ago."

Calder inclined his head without hesitation. "Consider it done."

Eirik, his hands glowing faintly as he channeled healing magic into the survivor, exhaled a low breath. "He is holding on, but barely. Whatever attacked him was no ordinary beast. Something corrupted his wounds. I’ll do everything I can to keep him alive."

"Do more than try," Thorian commanded, his voice carrying the weight of the throne. "We need answers."

As he turned to leave, Calder fell into step beside him, his tone low. "You’re thinking of going out there yourself."

Thorian’s silence confirmed it.

"It’s too soon," Calder said bluntly. "The rogues are getting bolder. You leave the citadel now, and you give them an opportunity to strike at the heart of the Dominion."

"And if we do nothing?" Thorian snapped, the ice beneath his words sharp. "The Frostbound Oath binds my life to my mate. To Emmeral. If this corruption is spreading, it threatens not just my pack... but her survival as well. I will not sit idle."

Calder's frustration was palpable, but he did not argue. He had served at Thorian's side for years... long enough to know when his King had made up his mind.

Thorian exhaled, forcing the rising tension back into its cage. One battle at a time. He cast his mind outward, seeking Aeris’s presence through the bond.

Back in Emmeral’s chamber, Aeris moved with quiet efficiency, gathering the remnants of breakfast and ensuring the room remained in order. At Emmeral’s question, the Omega paused, her expression softening slightly as she considered her words.

"Our King…" Aeris began, folding a linen cloth with practiced ease. "He is not an easy man to know. But he is fair. Everything he does is for the good of this pack... and the weight he carries is heavier than most could bear. Since taking the throne, he has kept us safe, even when the world outside seeks to tear us apart."

She glanced toward Emmeral, a faint trace of admiration in her tone. "But he is hard on himself. Harsher still on those he allows close. I’ve never seen him take a mate... or even consider one. You’re the first. That alone means more than he will admit."

Aeris’s words hung in the air as she stepped back toward the door. She paused as the distant echo of Thorian’s mind brushed against hers. Her head tilted slightly, receiving his message.

"Aeris," his voice brushed against her consciousness, steady and controlled. "The survivor is not from the Nightshade pack. The markings identify him as belonging to the Ashfen Pack. A pack that was said to be destroyed. Inform Emmeral... and let her know I will return as soon as I am able."

Aeris’s response came swiftly, laced with quiet respect. "Yes, my King."

Turning back to Emmeral, she inclined her head respectfully. "The King sent word. The survivor is not from the Nightshade Pack. He belongs to the Ashfen. He said the pack was said to be destroyed. He also asked me to tell you…" her voice softened slightly, "that he will return as soon as he is able."

Her expression shifted into something gentler as she added, "If I may… whatever burdens you carry, you are not alone. Our King may resist, but he does not let go of what is his."

[Emmeral Langley]

Despite their departing conversation, Emmeral's words of concern never wavered as she watched Thorian leave once again.

The bond ever present in humming beneath the surface, slithering beneath the surface of her skin, the aching feeling of his absence clung to her in feeling. And although the warmth of her body natural it brought a statement of chill down her spine.

Little were she in learning how weighted Thorian's shoulders were with gathering evidence.

"He'll return" Andarna's certainty affirming through their connection "You have much to discuss" trying to sooth the unwavering unsettledness within Emmeral's mind.

With Eirik's healing abilities Emmeral was able to move more swiftly towards the bed, carrying one foot in front of the other slowly as she cautioned her pathing till she reached the beds edge.

Hearing Aeris's words as she gained more knowledge of Thorian. Heavy in hearing but Emmeral knew that of an Alpha's weight could consume, he had that of the entire species on his shoulders. Evident of his hardened nature that almost naturally built up his walls within simple conversation. Aeris's words caring and unwavering in admission as she saw Thorian as a great ruler but a complicated man.

Taking in her words as Emmeral's expression remained calm with hazed over eyes of fatigued fever "Lucky me" she couldn't help but remark with a hint of amusement within her tone "I just hope these 5 weeks are useful" her words clung to uncertainty in its current state. A hint of seeing eye to eye currently but they had a long way to go till they decided what was to come of them.

Upon Aeris's departure with the trolley, she stilled within the doorway, Emmeral understand she was being mindlinked which carrying disappointment before Aeris even spoke. Her words confirming as Emmeral ached to hear everything was okay, the confirmation surprised as another pack, one that had been rumoured to of been destroyed was found "Ashfen?" a formerly aliased pack to the Night Shade before they were destroyed, close contact to Gideon's father when he served as Alpha.

Processing these mixed emotions as Emmeral's heart ached of the momentary mourn of any survivors remaining of the Night Shade, what little her people were left fled to other packs to seek unity - Her heart burned in branding to her severed pack.

Her expression momentarily shown her sorrow as Thorian would return later but she buried it within as it was all out of her control, that he had to serve as King first.

Aeris's words forming within Emmeral's chest in comfort as she knew Aeris was rather observant, her words comforting in absence "Thankyou Aeris's. Your insight means alot" lowering her head in bow more comfortably in movement since Eirik's visit "I will seek some rest in his absence, do with his breakfast as you will but please upon his return ensure he eats." watching as Aeris took her leave.

"He will be back" Andarna although hopefully pressed forward with a certainty "He will return to you as soon as he can" repeating Aeris's words to further comfort Emmeral but all it had done was worry her more - She could not feel if something went wrong. Closing her eyes Emmeral prayed the moon goddess in guiding him through his troubles.

Opening her eyes as she peered around the room, her eyes falling to the bedside were the phone Thorian placed remained. Picking it up, Emmeral customed through till she found messages and clicked on his name - Sending a text that she felt was silly but how else was she to contact currently as she typed and pressed send.

' Come back when possible, Thorian. Be careful. - E '

The slick black phone settling back onto the nightstand as Emmeral tried to sooth the storm within her, the bond's coil unwavering presence was becoming like a second skin to her as she ignored it. Her eyes slowly closing as her body welcomed slumber, the slowly creeping fever flared without her resistance.

[Thorian Thalric]

Thorian’s boots struck the frost-hardened ground as he and Calder led a small unit of warriors into the southern fringes of the Lycanthro Vale. The silence out here was heavier, more primal. Snow clung to the trees like a shroud, and the air reeked of tension, thick with the unseen. It had taken only minutes to prepare. His command had been absolute... no hesitation, no room for error.

Draco stirred within him, prowling just beneath the surface. "She worries. You felt it."

Thorian said nothing at first, his thoughts caught in the subtle pull of the bond... like a thread tugging gently at his core. Emmeral. He hadn’t been able to shake the memory of her voice, soft and sincere.

Then the buzz in his pocket. He glanced down at the sleek black phone he rarely used. Only a few had his number, and even fewer dared to use it. But the name on the screen stilled him.

The simplicity of it struck deeper than it should have. She hadn’t needed to say more.

Draco huffed, a satisfied sound. "She reaches for you, even when she believes you may not answer. Do you still doubt what lies between you?"

"I doubt everything," Thorian muttered under his breath. Yet he didn’t hesitate to reply.

'I will. And when I do, I’ll come straight to you. Get some rest. – T'

He slipped the phone away and gave a curt nod to Calder, who flanked his right. “Stay sharp. This won’t be a clean trail.”

They moved in formation, five warriors in all. Two scouts up front, Calder and Thorian at the center, and one silent shadow trailing behind. The deeper they pressed into the vale, the more the land seemed to shift. The snow was broken in places, large patches of dirt churned by heavy movement. The smell of blood... days old... clung to the roots.

Then came the growl. Low. Guttural. From behind a fallen pine.

Thorian raised a clenched fist, and the patrol froze. From the shadows, five figures emerged, eyes gleaming with that unnatural hue, their forms gaunt but fast. Rogues... tainted by the same darkness that had plagued the Nightshade survivors.

They didn’t speak. They didn’t hesitate. The rogues lunged.

Thorian met the first with a thunderous clash, his claws ripping through the rogue’s midsection. Blood sprayed across the snow as Calder’s axe swung beside him, cleaving through another. A warrior to their left was dragged down but rolled smoothly, shifting mid-motion and ripping into his attacker’s throat.

Draco surged through Thorian like a tidal wave, lending strength and speed. Bones cracked as Thorian snapped the leg of another rogue, spinning to drive his elbow into the creature’s sternum. The force sent the rogue flying into a tree trunk with a sickening crunch.

"Keep one alive," Thorian growled to the others. "We need answers."

The warriors shifted tactics. Blades flipped to hilts. Two more rogues fell, stunned but breathing. One attempted to flee... only to be intercepted by Calder, who drove him to the ground and pinned him beneath a knee.

The final rogue snarled, blood dripping from a split jaw, but Thorian moved in faster than sight. He slammed the rogue’s head into the snow-packed earth, claws digging just enough to draw a warning line of blood.

"Enough," he commanded, his voice layered with Alpha dominance. The rogue stilled.

They bound the prisoner in enchanted silver and began the trek back. The patrol was quiet, their senses still sharp. But Thorian’s thoughts wandered... to the crescent mark of the Ashfen, to the corruption spreading through the land, and back, always back, to the bond that now lived inside him.

Hours later, the gates of Eboncrest Citadel loomed before them, torches flickering along the walls.

“Take him to the dungeons,” Thorian ordered as they passed through. “Double guard detail. I want eyes on him at all times.”

“Yes, my King,” Calder affirmed. The warriors dispersed, the prisoner dragged below.

Thorian stood for a moment in the courtyard, eyes lifted toward the tower where her chambers rested. The bond tugged again... soft, insistent. He should rest. Should review the reports, debrief his men.

But instead, his feet carried him toward her.

He opened the door to her chamber without sound, slipping inside like a shadow. The room was dim, firelight casting long shadows across the floor. And there she was... curled beneath the blankets, skin faintly flushed with fever, her breathing deep and steady.

Thorian moved to the side of the bed, careful not to wake her. The sight of her stilled something in him. She had asked him to be careful. Told him to come back.

And he had. He reached down, brushing a strand of hair from her face with a gentleness he didn’t know he possessed.

“I’m back,” he whispered. Draco was silent, for once letting the moment linger. And Thorian stayed there, unmoving, guarding her long after sleep reclaimed him too.