Page 24 of The Blood Moon Oath

Rothgar throws his head back and laughs. “You? A human woman? You don’t have the right to challenge anyone.”

I step forward, my voice calm but firm. “Actually, she does. The Trials are open to anyone willing to fight for rank. That’s the law, Rothgar.”

Rothgar’s laughter fades, his smile replaced by a cold, calculating sneer. His gaze shifts back to Sable, raking over her as though she’s nothing more than prey he’s already claimed. “Fine,” he growls, his voice low and dripping with menace. “After the Blood Moon truce is over, I’ll savor ripping her apart. Slowly.”

He takes a step closer to her, his hulking form almost blocking her from view. “And maybe,” he continues, his toneturning disturbingly suggestive, “I’ll keep her alive just long enough to enjoy her screams. A soul tastes so much sweeter when there’s terror running through it. Don’t you agree, Alpha?”

My fists clench at my sides, my nails digging into my palms. Bastard. I glance at Kael, his expression calm and unyielding on the surface, but I know better. That icy calm is just a mask for the rage boiling underneath.

Torin’s growl rumbles beside me, low and lethal. “Touch her, and I’ll cut your fucking hands off,” he snaps, stepping forward, his eyes blazing with unhinged fury.

Rothgar’s smirk only widens, his gaze flicking to Torin like he’s amused by the outburst. “A human woman, and yet you’re all so...protective. How curious.”

With that, he and his lackeys stalk off, their laughter echoing in the hall.

Torin mutters under his breath, “If he touches my kitten, I’ll kill him.”

I glance at Kael, whose jaw is tight with barely contained fury. He grabs Sable by the elbow, his grip firm but not harsh, and steers her toward his chambers.

“This will be an interesting month,” I say quietly, more to myself than anyone else, as I follow behind.

Chapter

Fifteen

KAEL

The walk back to my chambers is cloaked in silence, the kind that crackles with unspoken words. Sable trails behind us, her footsteps measured but reluctant, as if she’s already plotting her next escape. Torin strides beside her, practically vibrating with unspent energy, while Finn hangs back slightly, his sharp gaze flicking between us, always calculating.

When we reach the door, I push it open and step inside first. The fire has burned low in the hearth, casting faint orange glows across the room. Sable hesitates for a moment, but Torin nudges her in with a smirk that does nothing to settle the tension. Finn follows, closing the door firmly behind us.

Sable plants herself near the fireplace, her arms crossed, her chin lifted defiantly as if daring one of us to speak first. Torin, of course, obliges.

“Well, that was fun,” he says, his grin stretching wide as heleans casually against the wall. “Do you always have to make such a scene, kitten? Or is it just for us?”

Her glare snaps to him, her lips curling in a sneer. “Do you always have to act like a lunatic? Or is that just for me?”

Finn huffs a quiet laugh, but Torin’s grin only widens. “Oh, I like this one,” he says, turning to me. “She’s got claws. I can’t wait to see how sharp they are.”

“Enough,” I bark, my voice cutting through the room. I turn my focus to Sable, who meets my gaze with fire in her eyes. “What the hell were you thinking?”

“What was I thinking?” she snaps, stepping forward, her voice rising. “I was thinking about getting away from you, you arrogant bastard. What do you expect me to do? Sit here and play nice while you keep me prisoner?”

“You’re damn right I expect you to play by our rules,” I growl, taking a step closer. “Do you have any idea how reckless you were? You could’ve been killed.”

“Maybe that’s better than being here with the lot of you,” she bites out, her chin lifting in defiance. “Why should I care about your rules? I’m not part of your twisted little world.”

Torin lets out a low whistle, clearly enjoying the spectacle. “She’s fiery, isn’t she? Careful, Alpha, or she might actually singe you.”

“Torin,” I snap without looking at him, my patience wearing thin. “Out. Finn, take him with you.”

Torin straightens, his grin turning sharp. “Let me know how her claws feel,” he says with a wink before sauntering toward the door. Finn gives me a pointed look, as if asking whether I’m sure about this, but I wave him off. They leave, the door shutting with a finality that makes the room feel impossibly smaller.

The moment we’re alone, I turn back to her. “You don’t get it, do you?” I say, my voice low and dangerous. “This isn’t a game. You don’t make the rules here, Sable. We do.”

Her hands curl into fists at her sides, and she takes a step closer, the defiance in her eyes burning brighter. “Then maybe you should’ve left me in the snow,” she snaps. “Because I don’t give a damn about your rules, Kael. I’m not one of you, and I never will be.”

My patience snaps, the last thread fraying as her defiance sets every nerve in my body alight. Before I fully register my own movements, I stride toward her with purpose, my boots striking the stone floor with a deliberate rhythm that echoes in the charged silence.

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