Page 58 of Rebel for Claws
But it was more than enhanced perception. Ancient magic stirred in his bloodstream like molten silver, powerful and alien yet somehow familiar. His wolf prowled restlessly, eager to testthese new abilities and to discover what forms he might now be capable of taking.
Multiple animal forms. The thought should terrify me, but instead...
"Look," Vivian whispered, her voice carrying a note of awe that made him lift his head.
Alaric followed her gaze to the tall windows that lined his chambers, where the December moon hung like a silver coin against the star-scattered sky. But it wasn't the celestial beauty that captured his attention—it was the strange, rippling distortion that seemed to pulse outward from their location in visible waves.
"What the hell?" Alaric pushed himself up on his elbows, his enhanced vision tracking the phenomenon as it radiated across the landscape like sonar made manifest. The waves moved through trees, over snow-covered fields, beyond the boundaries of his estate and into the darkness beyond.
Vivian shifted beside him, her violet eyes glowing with residual magic as she watched the display. "I've never seen anything like it."
"Neither have I," Alaric said, his voice tinged with concern. "This isn't natural."
Vivian propped herself up on her elbow, her expression thoughtful as another pulse of energy rippled across their view. "It must be connected to our mating. The completion of the secondary prophecy—joining the Silvercrest bloodline with my ancient magical heritage."
Alaric felt his wolf surge closer to the surface as understanding dawned. "You think this energy is affecting other shifters?"
"I suspect every wolf in our territory probably has dormant genes," Vivian said. "When I told the pack leaders and rebellion leaders at the emergency war council meeting about this, Iwas theorizing that completing our mate bond might unlock untapped potential in others. But now, I think it's actually a fact."
A wave of awakening, spreading through the pack bonds like wildfire.
Alaric swung his legs over the edge of the bed, his naked form silhouetted against the firelight as he watched another pulse of energy sweep across the moonlit landscape. The possibility was staggering—if every shifter in the four territories was experiencing even a fraction of what he felt coursing through his veins...
"The war," he said, pieces clicking into place with tactical precision. "If this energy surge is enhancing our people's abilities?—"
"It will turn the tide completely in our favor," Vivian finished, her eyes bright with hope and fierce determination.
We might actually have a chance against Thorne's human operatives after all.
The sharp, piercing wail of alarm bells suddenly shattered the peaceful moment, echoing through the stone corridors of the estate with mechanical urgency. Alaric immediately identified the pattern—three long bursts, followed by two short ones. The code for imminent breach.
"They're here," he growled, his Alpha instincts snapping into razor-sharp focus as he surged to his feet.
Vivian was already moving, her combat training evident in the fluid grace with which she rolled off the bed and began gathering their scattered clothes. "How long do we have?"
"Minutes at most." Alaric pulled on his black tactical pants with military efficiency, his mind already shifting into battle mode.
The war has finally come to our doorstep.
As they dressed with practiced speed, Alaric caught Vivian's hand, his storm-grey eyes blazing gold with the power of their completed bond. "Whatever happens down there, we face it together."
Vivian's fingers tightened around his, her violet gaze fierce with love and determination. "Together," she agreed, then flashed him a dangerous smile that made his pulse quicken despite the circumstances. "Let's show them what an awakened Alpha and his magical mate can do."
Alaric and Vivian moved through the corridors of his estate with lethal efficiency, their newly completed mate bond thrumming between them like electricity. The alarm bells continued their relentless wailing, each piercing note driving home the urgency of their situation. His enhanced senses, magnified beyond anything he'd ever experienced, picked up every detail with crystalline clarity—the scent of winter air flowing through ventilation systems, the rapid heartbeats of his staff taking defensive positions throughout the mansion, and the metallic tang of weapons being readied.
Three miles and closing fast.
"We need to get to my personal gym now," Alaric said, guiding Vivian down a side corridor lined with ancient pack portraits. "All the tactical gear is there."
They burst through the doors of his training facility, where weapons lined the walls in precise military formation. Alaric moved to his gear locker with Alpha efficiency, pulling on his black tactical vest over his henley shirt. The familiar weight of kevlar and steel settled across his shoulders like armor.
Vivian was already strapping on her custom leather harness, the intricate network of sheaths and holsters that held her handcrafted blades. Her movements were fluid, deadly grace personified as she secured throwing knives along her thighs and crossed her twin swords across her back.
Christ, she's utterly magnificent. Dangerous and beautiful and completely mine.
Alaric's phone buzzed against his hip, cutting through the mechanical symphony of their preparations. Lena's name flashed across the screen.
"Lena," he answered, putting the call on speaker as he secured his tactical holster.
