Caleb wiped blood from his mouth, his eyes burning with rage. "You're different," he spat. "That mark… it's not just some scar, is it?"
Aria clenched her fists, still feeling the strange energy coursing through her. She didn't know what it meant, but one thing was clear—she wasn't the same weak girl he had once rejected.
Kael stepped forward, his wolf still half-shifted, his claws elongating as he faced Caleb. His rage was barely controlled.
"This is your last warning," Kael growled. "Leave now, or I'll rip your heart out."
Caleb smirked. "I think I'll stay."
Then he shifted.
His wolf was massive—nearly as large as Kael's—but where Kael's fur was midnight black, Caleb's was a deep, sickly red, almost unnatural under the moonlight.
They lunged at each other in a blur of fangs and claws.
The impact shook the ground as Kael and Caleb collided.
Kael was stronger, faster—but something was wrong. His movements were wild, his growls deeper than usual. His wolf was losing control.
Aria's chest tightened. It was the curse.
Caleb took advantage, slamming Kael onto his back, his jaws snapping at his throat.
"Kael!" Aria screamed.
A growl rumbled through Kael's chest. His silver eyes darkened to pure black.
Then, suddenly—Caleb was the one screaming.
Kael flipped him over, pinning him down with a savage snarl. His fangs elongated, his form shifting into something even more monstrous. His claws dug deep into Caleb's chest, black veins crawling up his arms.
He was changing.
Losing himself.
Kael wasn't just fighting Caleb. He was fighting the beast inside him.
Aria's breath caught. If he gave in to the curse, there would be no turning back.
She ran forward, pushing past the chaos. "Kael, stop!"
His wolf hesitated—just for a second.
Caleb took that moment to wrench free, rolling away before disappearing into the forest with a broken snarl.
The battle was over.
But Kael was still shaking. His body was locked in half-shift, trapped between man and beast. His breathing was ragged, his muscles trembling as he fought against whatever darkness clawed at him.
Aria did the only thing she could.
She touched him.
The moment her fingers brushed his skin, the mark on her wrist flared—and Kael's body jerked as if struck by lightning.
Then, slowly… he calmed.
His silver eyes returned. His claws retracted. And for the first time, he let out a breath that sounded almost… relieved.
But as Aria looked into his eyes, she saw something else.
Fear.
Not of the enemy.
Not of Caleb.
Of himself.