Page 115 of Bound By Alphas 1: Bound

“Like Finn,” Keir said, the name like a physical ache in Cade’s chest.

Four years. Four years since they’d let him go to Seattle, believing they could protect him from afar. Four years of watching through security feeds, of reports from Drew, of aching for their mate while respecting his need for independence. Four years of incomplete bonds and restless wolves.

“Not just like Finn,” Elder Miriam corrected, her gaze piercing. “The vision came to me three nights ago.” She closed her eyes, reciting from memory. “Six vessels of ancient power, bound by fate and blood. One who walks between worlds. One who carries fire in mortal veins. One whose spirit bridges realms unseen. One who guards with forgotten magic. One born of darkness untouched by death. One who amplifies what others cannot contain.”

Silence fell over the chamber as her words hung in the air.

“Cravax,” Elder Takoda finally said, speaking the name like a curse. “He seeks the six to complete his resurrection.”

Cade’s hands curled into fists, his nails digging into his palms. “The one who walks between worlds. Could that be Finn?”

“I believe so,” Elder Miriam confirmed. “My vision showed a fox with multiple tails moving through shadows as if they were doorways. Your mate’s heritage may be more significant than we realized.”

“And the others?” Logan demanded. “Do we know who they are?”

“The one who carries fire in mortal veins,” Elder Wu said thoughtfully. “That would be the Chen boy from Cedar Grove. After what happened at the Knox challenge, there’s no doubt.”

“We received the reports this morning,” Elder Takoda added, sliding a folder across the table. “The Blackwoods witnessed it firsthand. Dragon blood, just as the old legends suggested.”

Keir opened the folder, his expression darkening as he scanned the contents. “The Blood Moon Coven manifested? And the Crimson Serpent Society? I thought they were myths.”

“Very real,” Elder Miriam said grimly. “And now very active. The supernatural community across the mountains is in chaos after the incident.”

“The Stone brothers managed to protect the boy,” Elder Wu continued. “But only after his powers manifested. Dragon scales, elemental manipulation—powers not seen in centuries.”

“And the one born of darkness untouched by death?” Cade asked, continuing down the list.

Elder Miriam’s expression grew troubled. “A born vampire, not made. Extremely rare. The Ravencrofts have kept a secret for nearly two centuries—a youngest brother, born rather than turned.”

“That’s only three of the six,” Logan pointed out. “What about the others?”

Elder Wu spread her hands. “We have theories, but nothing certain. The Cedar Grove incident revealed unexpected players—the White Tiger Clan emerged to protect the Chen boy. Theycould be connected to ‘the one who guards with forgotten magic.’”

“And the remaining two?” Keir asked.

“Still unknown,” Elder Miriam admitted. “But if the pattern holds, Cravax will force them to reveal themselves soon, just as he did with the Chen boy.”

“So the Cedar Grove incident was a test,” Cade concluded, the pieces falling into place. “A way to confirm one of the vessels and assess his powers.”

“Precisely,” Elder Takoda nodded. “And the next logical target?—”

“Is Finn,” Logan finished, his voice hard.

“Has Drew reported any unusual incidents?” Cade asked. “Any signs that Finn’s kitsune heritage is becoming more pronounced?”

“Nothing significant,” Logan replied. “But Drew mentioned that Finn’s been having vivid dreams lately. Dreams of running through forests with multiple tails.”

“His powers are stirring,” Elder Wu said, concern evident in her voice. “The Shadow Harvesters will sense it soon, if they haven’t already.”

“The Blackwoods report Shadow Harvester activity near Seattle,” Elder Miriam added. “They’re already hunting.”

“How much time do we have?” Keir asked, already pulling out his phone, no doubt mentally calculating extraction plans.

“Days at most,” Elder Miriam replied. “The Cedar Grove incident has accelerated everything. Cravax won’t wait for the Blood Moon to secure his vessels.”

“Finn doesn’t know what he is,” Cade said, the words tasting like ash. “We never told him about his parents, about his true heritage.”

It had been a decision made with the best intentions—to protect Finn from knowledge that might attract the very danger they feared. But now that decision might cost them everything.

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