The following morning, the valley was tense.
Kaiden stood near the cliff, watching. Lucien beside me.
"I need your decision," Kaiden said.
"What decision?" I asked.
"Will you join me temporarily? I can offer protection, influence, resources. But you choose me… over Lucien's fortress and training."
My chest tightened.
Lucien's gaze darkened. "She chooses survival with me. Not politics with him."
"I am not a prize!" I shouted.
Kaiden's eyes softened. "No. You are the only one who can decide your fate."
I swallowed. My mark pulsed, responding to both of them. The choice wasn't easy.
Lucien stepped closer. "Choose wisely. Your survival depends on it."
I took a deep breath. Kaiden's calm authority drew me in. Lucien's protective intensity grounded me.
This was the first real choice—not about pack, not about politics. About me.
And for the first time, I understood… my heart had to be part of the decision.