Chapter 39: The Awakening
"Rowan!" Kael's shout echoed over the roaring falls. No answer came from the churning red waves. Just bubbles rising to the top, then nothing. Celeste screamed in rage. "Find him! Now!" Three shadow fighters dove into the falls, disappearing beneath the crimson foam. Liana's silver wolf form bounded to the water's edge, her golden eyes looking desperately for any sign of Rowan. "We need to fight," Jace yelled, still fighting two warriors despite his wounds.
Fresh blood ran down his arm. Kael turned to face Darius, who watched the chaos with cold enjoyment. "This ends now," Kael growled, his body shifting halfway—claws extending, eyes glowing blue. "You're right," Darius agreed. With blinding speed, he slammed his fist into Kael's chest, sending him flying into a rock. The silver wolf growled, hackles rising as she leaped between Darius and Kael. Her huge jaws snapped inches from the rogue Alpha's throat. "So protective," Darius teased, dancing away from her teeth. "Your mother was the same way. Look where that got her." The wolf faltered, confusion flashing across her golden eyes. "Yes, little sister. She died protecting you." Darius circled around her. "But not for the reasons you think." A sudden splash stopped them as a shadow warrior burst from the falls, gasping. "He's gone! And so is the key!" Celeste's face twisted with anger. "Impossible! No one could survive those currents!" "He found an underwater tunnel," the warrior sputtered. "We couldn't follow." Liana's heart soared. Rowan hadn't betrayed them—he'd saved the key! Taking advantage of her confusion, Darius lunged, grabbing the silver wolf by her scruff. Liana yelped, her massive form thrashing as he pulled her toward the water. "She's coming with me," Darius stated. "Anyone who follows dies."
"Let her go!" Jace yelled, struggling against the warriors holding him back. Something strange happened when Darius pulled Liana closer to the falls. The water around them began to glow—not red like the falls, but a bright blue that pulsed in time with her heartbeat. Celeste noticed first. "The water! Something's happening!" A tingling feeling spread through Liana's body, starting where her paws touched the water. Power—pure and ancient—rushed into her blood. The silver wolf grew still, her golden eyes widening. "What are you doing?" Darius ordered, feeling the sudden change in her. The wolf didn't answer. Instead, she looked at the water, then at her family fighting for their lives. Something clicked in her mind—a memory that wasn't hers. The silver Luna who lived inside her wolf had known this power. Water magic. The lost gift of her royal bloodline. With a thought, the surface of Blood Falls started to ripple. Then churn. Then rise. "Stop her!" Celeste screamed, understanding too late what was happening. A huge wave lifted from the falls, towering over them all. It hung suspended for one breath-stealing moment, then crashed down—but only on the shadow fighters, Celeste, and Darius. The water moved like it had a mind, sweeping away enemies while leaving Kael and Jace unharmed. Darius lost his grip on Liana as the current pulled him under. Celeste fought against the flood, her magic flaring purple against the blue glow. "This isn't over!" she screamed before the water dragged her downstream. When the wave subsided, no shadow warriors remained.
Only puddles and scattered weapons showed where they'd stood. Liana collapsed on the shore, her wolf form melting away to show her human body, shivering and weak. The magic had drained her completely. "Liana!" Kael rushed to her side, wrapping his jacket around her bare shoulders. "That was..." Jace limped over, eyes wide with awe. "How did you do that?" "I don't know," she whispered, her voice hoarse. "The water just... listened to me." A noise from the far side of the pool caught their attention. They turned, ready for another attack. Instead, Rowan emerged from the bushes, soaking wet but living. In his hand, he clutched the water key, its blue gem glinting in the fading light. "Rowan!" Liana tried to stand but couldn't find the strength. His face was a mask of shame as he neared them. The red lines were back, creeping up his neck worse than before. The purple crystal was gone. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice breaking. "I didn't know she was tracking me." Kael's face hardened. "You kept secrets. Put us all in danger." "I know." Rowan knelt beside them, setting the key gently on the ground. "I almost gave this to her. For a moment, I actually considered it." "But you didn't," Liana said softly. "I couldn't." His eyes met hers, full of pain and something deeper. "Not after everything we've been through." Jace put a hand on his brother's shoulder. "The curse is worse now, isn't it?" Rowan nodded, his body trembling with the effort of keeping in control. "Celeste's magic made it stronger. When the crystal wore off, it came back... harder to fight." "We'll find another way," Kael said, his anger melting into worry.
"There might not be another way," Rowan allowed, looking at each of them. "I'm a danger to this pack. To all of you." "What are you saying?" Liana asked, though she already knew. "I should leave. Go somewhere I can't hurt anyone when... if... I lose control." The words hung in the air, heavy as storm clouds. Before anyone could reply, movement at the tree line caught their attention. A person emerged—not Celeste or Darius, but a man whose face was hidden beneath a dark hood. "Who's there?" Kael ordered, moving protectively in front of the others. The stranger stepped forward, lowering his hood to show a face that made Liana gasp. "Uncle Thorne?" she whispered. The man she'd thought dead for ten years nodded grimly. "We don't have much time. Darius will be back with troops." "How are you—" Liana began. "Later." Thorne cut her off, moving quickly to their side. "Right now, we need to get somewhere safe. The second collision is only hours away." "Why should we trust you?" Kael growled. Thorne's eyes—the same golden-brown as Liana's—narrowed. "Because I'm the only one who knows how to save your mate's life." He nodded toward Rowan, whose veins now pulsed an angry red. "And because I know the truth about your mother's death, Liana." "Darius said—" she started. "Darius will say anything to get you to join him." Thorne's voice turned urgent. "He doesn't want you as family. He wants your power—the water magic you just found." Rowan doubled over suddenly, a cry of pain leaving his lips.
"The curse is accelerating," Thorne said. "We need to move now." Liana looked at Kael, quietly asking what they should do. "We'll go with you," Kael decided, helping Liana to her feet. "But if this is a trap..." "It's not a trap," Thorne promised, taking the water key and putting it into a leather pouch. "It's rescue. For all of you." As they followed Thorne into the forest, Liana couldn't stop herself from asking one question. "If my mother didn't die protecting me from Darius... how did she die?" Thorne's steps slowed for just a moment. When he spoke, his voice was thick with old sadness. "She died protecting you from someone far worse," he said. "Someone who's returning at the third intersection. Someone who wants to use your water magic to destroy everything." "Who?" Liana pressed. Thorne turned, his golden eyes glowing in the growing dusk. "Your father."