ainst the cold glow of the moon. Elara sat by the narrow window of her chamber, her hands trembling as she traced the edges of the black obsidian

mind: The bond you wear will destroy hi

nstant reminder that her fate was no longer her own. She clenched her fist, forcing her thoughts el

called, her voice s

it wasn't a guard or one of Kaelen's spies-it was a boy. Barely sixteen, his frame was wiry, his clothes plain, and

iftly, his voice barely above a

er, yet her curiosity subdue

ed into his coat and produced a small bundle, extending it

de was a small glass vial containing a blood-red liquid and a folded note. As

he truth lies beyond the borders. The rebels a

e, her mind racing

Alpha. He is aware of your scar. H

f approaching footsteps echoed down the hallway

thunder of boots reverberated down the lobby. Liam's

f her outfit some time recently the entryway burst open.

lara requested, driving he

sted us to guarantee no one approa

ome time recently they may address him, a removed yell penetra

rotect mumbled, his

noiseless once more, spare for the rapid crashing of Elara's heart. She t

fear giving way to direness. "If you need to know the tr

he violence below. Wolves clashed in a blur of fur and claws, the snarls and cries of battle rising into the night. Ka

e truth, the rogues were her only chance to uncover the m

ere deserted, the guards drawn to the battle outside. Her heart pounded as she navi

spotting the boy crou

movements quick and ner

s and shadows. The tunnel was damp and narrow, the air thick with the scent of earth and

a demanded, her voice a mi

ain everything," Chris r

ed beneath their feet, and a chilling growl ech

Elara asked, he

e lantern. "A beast of the Shado

From the rubble emerged a creature unlike anything she had ever seen. It was massiv

ed, shoving her tow

me in ragged gasps as she stumbled through the narrow passage, the sound of the creature's gro

" he yelled.

slow down. The passage opened into a clearing, the cool night air hit

ed up, she wa

their center was a man who exuded an aura of power and danger. His sil

voice smooth and comma

ed, forcing herself to stan

eaving hers. "I am Eryth Solan, the Rogue Alpha. A

he snapped, her fear giving way to an

ry mark. It binds you to a prophecy-one that could d

"Prophecy? What ar

low him. "Come. There's much

e center. The other rogues faded into the shadows, leaving them

cient power-one that Kaelen fears above all else. The Shadow Alpha seeks to awaken this po

"Why am I involved?

escendant of the Veyrith bloodline, a lineage intended to uphold the balance of power. Kae

had been shaped by Kaelen's desires, her identity stripped away. Now, she

e this responsibility," she confe