A dark gray glow created a grim air to the caves as the black flames burned, Cora's attention focused on her blackened veins while the Seers shouted at the shadow figure.

She felt no pain, despite her body clearly going through something tremendous. An unnamed Seer moved quickly to Cora, examining her arm. Cora stared at the Seer with wide eyes, but the female lycan didn't seem pressed for concern.

Even Hilda lost her attention on Cora as she faced the shadow figure, moonlight encasing the black void of its body, it's red eyes piercing through the darkness.

Careful, measured words boomed throughout the caves as Rasha spoke, magic consuming the Seer as her blue eyes glowed amber. At the entrance, the sound of cracking stone echoed as parts of the cave shattered in front of the shadow.

The Seer next to Cora yelled a warning in Dånesh, motioning quickly with her arms for them to back away. Black fire whipped out at Cora like tendrils of unforeseen magic, as if the shadow personified itself through the flames.

Ludovic, alerted by the Seer, gripped tighter on Cora's shoulders, her feet barely able to keep up with him as she was at the mercy of his strength. They managed to barely escape the whip of black fire, a small tip of the flame grazing her skin.

Her thigh burned. The Seer followed her and said something hurriedly, to which Mina translated as she kept up. "Your thigh, Cora."

Cora reached down to her leg, her body growing stiff when she saw the flame burned through her dress. She lifted it up to see her warm skin had blackened where the flame licked, like someone smeared soot on her; the flesh around the black mark was red and inflamed.

Cora glanced up at the astonished Seer, Ludovic and Mina both watching on with unease. The blacks fires that continued to burn reflected in their eyes. Seers shouted around them, their echoes carrying through the rocky halls, a few more nearing Cora.

She looked around, terrified of every corner that she couldn't see. Would something else attack her? She hesitated to look at the entrance of the cave, afraid to see the shadow figure; she leaned closer to Ludovic as she dared a look.

The Shadow figure moved its eyes to face Cora, the red washing a chill down her spine. Then, with little warning, the shadow disappeared like smoke from a candle.

The changing of gray light to a warm orange signaled that whatever presence joined them had disappeared, and the blood in her veins returned to normal as the black disappeared Cora breathed rapidly as she looked around her body, seeking out anything else out of the ordinary. Only the black mark on her thigh remained.

Hilda neared Cora, the Seers around her taking a step back while Ludovic and Mina remained close, Ludovic's hand remaining on her shoulder. Hilda glanced at Cora's thigh and looked around frantically, focusing on Rasha.

With a burning gaze, Rasha addressed Hilda through tight lips. "What was that, witch?"

Hilda panted as she looked around, all eyes hard on her. Rasha pressed with a danger in her eyes, "Answer us, witch. That was shadow magic just now. That only comes from your kind. What have you brought with you?"

Hilda looked back at Cora, and in that moment, Cora connected whatever dots wound together in Hilda's head –- a few months prior, Cora swore she saw shadows in the forests outside their home. She even dreamt of one, although it didn't have red eyes. We thought I had just been seeing things, though...exhausted from the harvest...

"I believe that Cora has seen that shadow before," Hilda finally said, facing Rasha. "I admit I did not take it as seriously as I apparently should have. The fact that it has followed us here is not of my doing. If anything, it is worse -- we are being watched. By something powerful enough to do what it did."

Rasha paced around the primary brazier, the one that had reached out at Cora. "The witch's god Lokur is of shadows and deceit," Rasha said, pausing to look at Hilda, "So how we know we can trust you?"

Hilda seemed offended. "You saw me in the smoke. You know I am meant to be here. I have no desire to usurp lycans, or bring them harm. If you decide to doubt me now, then that is fear winning over your heart. I won't waste my breath arguing with irrationality."

Rasha hardly blinked as she glared at Hilda, her blue eyes stark against her chestnut skin, the other Seers waiting for their leader's respond with bated breath. "Fine. Then how do we fight the shadows, if you are an ally?" Rasha asked.

Cora breathed harder, watching with wide, unblinking eyes.

The witch said, "With more of my magic, but I am hardly enough..." Hilda slowly walked about, speaking with her hands, "That burn marked her, Rasha. This is now escalating more than I had ever anticipated. I don't even know what that mark means. And that magic that I felt just now...I have felt it before, and you will not like what I would guess that shadow to have originated from."

No one responded as Hilda's usual resolve seemed broken; just like Cora's had been when she approached the river, unsure of the fate of her brother.

Hilda pressed on, "If I were to give you a guess, I believe there is witch residing among Grimshaw. This magic could be from her...although the distance makes this startling. Unless she is near. I doubt the lycans are, as you'd know...but she could be. Somewhere in the forests."

Cora stiffened again, Mina whispering behind her as she translated for Ludovic. Cora did nothing to step away from him, finding his body warm and afraid to venture too far, lest another shadow try to grab her.

The Seers fell into whispers, one of them addressing Rasha in their tongue. Mina took a step closer to Cora, translating. "They are debating...they are considering the possibility of giving you to Steigen, to prevent whatever follows you" --Rasha quieted them and Mina paused as the head Seer began to speak-- "Rasha is saying that to give you to Steigen is admitting defeat, but another says that if we don't, then war is coming for us...then Rasha is saying that we always knew war was coming, and now that it here we cannot back down...now they're fighting about Theran and if he should even have you."

Cora's mouth was dry from panting as she tried to process all of this through an exhausted mind.

Rasha stepped forward, the fire from the braziers glinting against the metal she wore, the shadows on her face moving with the dance of the flames. Her eyes were stern, perhaps revealing an edge of fear. "What else have you seen, Hilda of Kamas? What else do we need to know?"

The lines around Hilda's mouth seemed deeper than ever. "I have seen terrible consequences if Grimshaw gets to her. It will not end well for anyone other than his pack. And he will ruthlessly claw his way there, tearing down anyone in his way. Which will be nearly every living being in Reiger, save for Cora."

Rasha's expression morphed into determination, her wild eyes revealing the lycan underneath. "Then we must defend the Omni. At all costs...is it just Cora that Grimshaw wants, or are the others in danger?"

"He might come for the others, but he is after her because she was born in his lands. There is something to her blood being from those lands that makes more powerful if she were to mate with him. She cannot go to him."

Rasha shot a daring gaze at Hilda. "And you brought her here? Knowing that Grimshaw would want her and has a witch with him?"

Hilda seemed hardly phased, standing strong. "We did not intend to come here, as it was one of yours that attacked her brother. She was forced to reveal herself. Even then, would you prefer us to go to another pack? You'd lose your chance to have an Omni as your Omega. And whatever other pack takes her will also face Grimshaw, and we'd be in a similar predicament."

"She brings devastation with her," Rasha said with heat.

"Aye, taking her away from Grimshaw brings potential devastation. Leaving her with him would ensure it."

Cora stood taller at the way Hilda defended her so fiercely, her throat burning with how moved she was.

Rasha seemed to consider that, the cave quiet enough that Cora could hear water dripping somewhere inside. Cora wanted to be angry that they would even consider giving her to Grimshaw...but how could she blame them wanting to protect their own?

Rasha huffed, looking away after considering everything "Of course. Witches always ruin everything."

Hilda didn't respond to that, and Cora could tell she was biting her tongue. Cora had grown up being told by nearly everyone she knew that lycans hated witches. The two practiced very different magic, and in a way witches were a weakness to lycans, who were more physical than those that followed the god Lokur.

Cora looked down at the stone floor, processing all of this. She had no idea the dangers that Grimshaw posed for her, not to this degree.

Rasha said, "We need to do our own research. We should leave the decision of what to do with Cora in the Alpha's hands. We may even need to meet with all of the Ingram Alliance, if this witch here is telling the truth. Their Omnis are also in danger. For all we know, he could target them to bolster his own men. Remma, you will keep close to Cora for now. Inform the Alpha of what just transpired."

A tall, middle-aged Seer walked forward, bowing her head as her earrings and necklaces clanked together, her auburn hair dangling over her shoulders. Yes, Rasha."

It didn't take long for the other Seers to gather themselves, sending two Seers and Hilda to investigate the surrounding area before they would allow Cora anywhere near the entrance.

Mina sat next to Cora as they rested on the stone floor, Cora sitting on a fur pelt to prevent her from getting too cold. Ludovic was at her other side, silent and lost in his thoughts and exhaustion.

Cora's mind mind was like a puddle that ripples kept disturbing, thoughts distorting her focus as nothing was clear enough to see properly. There was more pressure than everf to become a lycan, and even mate with another; she needed loyalty. Protection. Ben needed it too.

"When does Theran mate me?" Cora asked Mina.

Mina said, "It will be about two months from now."

Cora sighed, feeling that was too long. If that witch was sending shadow figures this easily, then what would happen if Steigen came for her? What if Steigen came before she was turned? She'd be as easy to snatch as a newborn pup.

A more disturbing thought slithered through her mind, one that seemed full of barbs as the longer it lingered, the deeper she felt the fear stab her heart...what if the Seers followed through with giving Cora to Steigen Pack? What if Theran chose that as well? What if no one would take her, knowing Grimshaw was coming for her? In that, she didn't want to be human anymore. She felt weak and useless. "Not any sooner?"

Mina's dark brown eyes were full of warmth, contrasting the angst of Cora's heart. "No, unfortunately not. In three weeks, when the moon is full, you will undergo the real change. You can only mate when you are turned, and have been so for one full moon thereafter. So about two months from now."

Cora leaned her head back against the cave wall, feeling like that simply wasn't enough. She didn't know these lycans, and as much as she wanted to, she couldn't fully trust them. Not after the Seers were so quick to consider giving Cora to Steigen. She wanted to be mad at them for such a proposition, but how could she be?

Whoever took her in risked apparent war. Which meant many of their kind would die. Just so she didn't fall into the wrong hands.

In that, she felt guilty. Did she owe it to the innocent to go to Grimshaw? Was it fair of her to ask for others to stand by her and protect her? Hilda thinks so. If I go to him, apparently her visions bring only death. Perhaps this way some may live.

It was only a small comfort to think that.

Either way, with thoughts of Grimshaw coming for her, the last thing Cora wanted was to be weak. Speaking through her exhaustion, she said, "I want to learn to fight." Determination pushed away her fear as Cora stared at the stone ground. "No, I need to."

Mina shifted uncomfortably in her seating position, speaking almost with embarrassment. "Well, unfortunately I cannot show you. I'm a weak fighter."

Glancing back at Mina, Cora asked, "Can someone teach me? Or surely you know something. I don't even know how to punch someone."

Mina moved her gaze to the other side of Cora, speaking in Dånesh as she addressed Ludovic. His warm voice responded as Cora looked at her hands.

Mina said, "He said in time he can be the one to teach you the basics. Perhaps sooner rather than later after everything that happened tonight" Mina leaned in, her brows raised. "You want to take that, by the way. You could be in no better hands for that."

The corner's of Cora's mouth gently upturned, and she had to admit that so far, Mina was one of the brighter aspects of all of this. There was something in the way she spoke that seemed so genuine that reminded Cora of the good in the world. "Well, can you teach me Dånesh, then? I want all my spare time doing something. Not just sitting around."

Mina grinned, now full of pride. "Of course."

Cora looked up at Ludovic, who leaned against the stone wall with his arms crossed, his loose, long-sleeved black shirt hanging off his frame to accentuate his muscles. He moved only his eyes to look down at Cora.

Cora said, "Mina, please translate to him," she spoke directly to Ludovic, as she wanted to be certain in his response, "Your sister will keep Ben safe? My brother? Throughout all of this, while I do whatever I am obligated to do, she will keep him safe?"

Ludovic looked at her with a burning intelligence, and yet the language barrier made him seem simple with how slow his responses were. Mina spoke behind Cora, but Ludovic didn't remove his gaze from her. He nodded when Mina finished and spoke with a dead certainty. "Lao." Yes.

Cora breathed heavier, her heart and mind tired and wary. But if Ben could live, then this all might be worth it. "If they give me to Steigen...Ben stays. I want him to stay. Is that possible?"

He narrowed his eyes on her, considering her as Mina translated. "Yo varna yio litten pavora loa yio svåger brunn."

"He said you defend your small pack with your brother well."

Cora softened her eyes, having never thought of it like that and she looked back ahead. Quietly and to herself, she muttered, "I suppose he is my pack. My little pack."

That actually made her feel better, like she was doing something right.

Ludovic spoke once more, and Mina was quick to say, "He also said to tell you not to worry. He will ensure that you do not go to Steigen. The Seers speak through fear, but giving you to Grimshaw would be to plant our own ghost trees. Ludovic will never give Steigen that much power over them, and it's, as he phrases it" --she paused and spoke more quietly, her brows raised-- "a fucking insult."

If Mina's skin wasn't so dark, Cora may have seen a blush from her using such crass language. For that, Cora was able to give the faintest smile.

Cora looked down from Mina and wanted to look up at Ludovic, but there was so much pressure underneath his gaze. She had never encountered a male like him before, not even in her village. She managed out a nod did look up at him, feeling like she owed him that much. "Thank you. That means a lot and brings me some relief."

Once again, his eyes revealed a depth that she could not communicate with, and she looked down, her own cheeks warming.

By the time the Seers seemed complacent enough to let her return, Cora was nearly nodding off. Rather than traveling with two canoes, they filled four more with Seers, in case she were to need the protection of their magic.

They walked back into the frigid night; the moon lowering on the horizon. The winds were icy and the salty water filled her nose, but they at least gave her a fur shawl to wear. It was a nice, black fur that blended in with her dark hair; heavy and warm. Ludovic walked ahead of her, helping her into the canoe once more.

She faced Ludovic this time as they were in the canoe, although he kept his gaze mostly on everything around them. As they glided through the black waters, lanterns their only light, Cora's eyes began to gently roll in her head as she nearly fell asleep a dozen times. The warm shawl only made it more difficult to stay awake.

At one point, she drifted off enough that she went rigid and awoke with a start, a firm hand gripping her shoulder.

She glanced up at Ludovic, who had grabbed her to prevent her from falling over, ripples forming around the canoe from the sudden movement. The light from the lantern shone behind him, turning the loose strands of his hair into a burning orange. The rest of his face was darkened by the night, although she could still make out his eyes that caught the moonlight; all lycan's eyes did.

She said, "Forare." Thank you.

She didn't know what happened, and perhaps exhaustion got to him as well, but his gaze tempered to an almost comforting degree, as if communicating with her to tell her it's alright. Over the stillness of the waters, his deep voice carried, "Na'lorna." Welcome.

It was the way his voice was warm, the way she knew he cared, at least a little -- compared to his cousin -- and his ability to say the right thing when she needed it, that spurred on feelings that she knew she shouldn't have. At least, not if she were to mate with Theran.

Her confusing feelings were only compounded as Ludovic was potentially one of the more attractive males she had ever met in her entire life, and far more appealing than his cousin.

Ludovic let go of her shoulder and backed away. Cora immediately wanted more of whatever warmth just radiated in her. It was consuming, something entirely new to her; at least to this degree.

She had never considered this aspect about arriving among them -– their world was so novel to her, and her life had been so sheltered. With worrying about Ben, there was little time to focus on herself.

How was she supposed to navigate that aspect, among everything else?

I hope they let me keep Hilda close. I will need her guidance.

Unable to handle all of those thoughts right now, she bent over and rested her head on her arms, which she placed on her knees and pulled close to her chest. She dozed in and out like that, unable to stay awake any longer.

Ludovic ran his hand over his chin, stubble already grating as he watched the cliff faces come into view, golden glows littered throughout the rocky wall to signal civilization.

The moon was no longer out, and soon the sun would beckon dawn.

His leg killed him, and he had been up long enough to see the moon rise and fall twice in the sky. He hoped Cora would sleep deeply so he could as well. He'd stay near her for the time being, as he'd have to be up nearly whenever she was, or else it opened up too much danger for her being alone.

He looked back ahead of him as Cora sat up from leaning over, her groggy eyes slightly widening to reveal the her red irises as she took in the cliff face, still in awe of the sight. She will have so much to become accustomed to.

He had to admit that she surprised him in her subtleties. She didn't cry once, nor did she demand anything extravagant despite her prestigious blood — all she had asked for was something to keep her warm and to learn how to fight.

He had been thinking on that for nearly the entire journey back home.

There was a strength in her eyes that was masked with ignorance, like she had well of vigor that she didn't even know existed. If her story was correct, then all she had known her entire life was the cabin they raised her in.

He wondered if she appreciated what she was capable of, at least if paired with the right lycan and trained under the right discipline. There was great potential as an Omega, which could birth a new generation of powerful lycans.

In that, he knew Theran couldn't have her.

Cora was like unforged steel, waiting to be molded and Theran would no doubt beat her into whatever shape he desired, rather than letting her form into her own.

And that was not her spirit, at least from what Ludovic had seen. She was resilient, and dealing with someone like Theran would unknowingly forge her with a flame steeped in bitter rage. His cousin would only build resentment in her.

If Theran couldn't have her, then she'd have to go to someone else. It was the first time since Asla brought it up that Ludovic genuinely considered it as him.

Especially when he had caught her from waking up and she looked at him in a way that he was immensely familiar with in a female's gaze.

Ludovic faced the cliffs once more, trying to recollect his thoughts. Cora was more beautiful than she probably knew, or at least she did not carry herself like the other females who knew of their allure. Cora's skin was warm, her facial features sharp, and her dark hair was long and thick. It was easy for Ludovic to image stealing the throne, taking her as his Omega. At least, he saw no objections.

Perhaps he'd have to, if they were to seriously consider giving her to Steigen. He couldn't raise his younglings in a world like that, telling them how he gave away someone like Cora to her lifetime of imprisonment; it would be a fate worse than a painful death. Her entire life would become a painful death.

Ludovic ran his tongue against the back of his teeth, looking up to the top of the cliffs, thinking of his ancestors that have lived and died inside of there. Of his grandfather that ruled from the throne that Theran sat.

What would my father think? He was never born to be an Alpha, but he could have taken it if he wanted...would he have, if Uncle Aldric had been like his son? What would you tell me to do, old fang... Ludovic didn't have to stew on that question for long before knowing the answer -- his father and Asla were always alike, and Asla pushed Ludovic towards taking the throne.

It had been centuries since one of them took it from another. In a way, he was invigorated. It felt natural and primal, like it was a long-forgotten method of ensuring only the strongest led them.

The canoes hit the sand of the shore and Ludovic got out with a clenched jaw, his leg stiff. Sleep will help. Cora was already out of the canoe when they beached, heading towards her witch with unstable footing in the sand.

He addressed Mina, "Where is she going?"

"She wanted to know where her brother was, and to be taken to him right away. I think she is going to see if Hilda can accompany her."

He looked at the back of Cora, who was guided by the witch called Hilda, Rasha speaking to them both. Mina asked, "Magna, I am fine with reporting everything she says to you, but at what point should I give her privacy? Since she is to become our Omega?"

He sighed. "For now, I want to know it all. It won't be for long, just while she is unfamiliar. I have immense decisions to make and I need to know where her mind and heart stand for that."

Mina nodded. "Understood," she said, getting out of the canoe. "And, if I can ask...what of that shadow? I can't stop thinking about it." Mina straightened her white dress, shaking her body to warm herself up.

Ludovic looked back at the cliff face, thinking of all the clans that relied on these next, very crucial steps.

He was conflicted, now more than ever, on what to do with the throne. Of what to do with Cora, although he knew in his heart what must happen. Even then, he kept it to himself for now and spoke of the matter that had to come first, no matter what. "We have to tell Theran immediately."