a

d in the silenc

ng shut. My instinct screamed to run again, to put distance between myself and this b

er surface still faintly warm from whatever magic had flared

while my adrenaline continued to pump. "I've just come to find m

atory, deliberate. I could still sense the primordial energy emanating from

sed into something you don't understand." "This place...

. "That's not your

ame casting a shadow over mine. "You think you came here for your brother

ely curling around the charm. "It was a

"Because that's no ordinary pendant. It's a marker, a bond." He leaned i

lips before the sharp snap of a t

imself between me and whatever was hiding in the darkness.

tone, he commande

e. A second figure emerged from the darkness, but this one made no effort to hide its

voice guttural yet unmistakab

that was

on," Jaxon replied, his

led. "Malcolm will want her. And you kno

. Whoever he was, I could sense the wolf's desperation in his

with determination. "Malcolm mu

assive form shrinking until a man stood in its place. His features were

aid, addressing Jaxon but glari

about that,"

der his breath and shook his head b

a minute. Then Jaxon turned t

to go,"

ed. "Go

y place you

wling

e paths. He went with purpose and confidence despite the total darkness. But I

my frustration bubbling over. "Who was that? And why d

diately, his focus fi

ressed, my t

pendant..." He hesitated, as if weighing how much to reveal. "It marks you as part

ief. That's absurd. I've

Jonas didn't just stumble into this. He knew exactl

eneath my feet. Jonas... wha

?" More to myself tha

re tone, "That's what

tions that seemed to vibrate with an old energy, and it was hidden deep within the forest. There were

tly but attentively. The tension in the air was nearly opp

roke the stillnes

elicate face framed by dark locks. Curiosity and

is voice a little softer.

t my neck. Her expression shifted, a flicker of

" she said to Jax

he replie

said in a

N

ighed. "Stay here," he said to me befor

nstinct told me I was in over my head, but I couldn't

" a voice said

reen eyes and salt-and-pepper hair. He had a

y name?" I

id with a faint smile. "I'

plained the aura o

ontinued, his tone neutral. "It's not every day

s is?" I asked, my desp

complicated. He's been working with Malcolm Blackthorn, the alpha of the

o sway beneath me.

e," Rhys replied softly. "How far will yo

udder through my body. As the clearing's fires flickered,

id, reappearing at my si

, dread poolin

odfa

g wolves emerged from the shadows, their leader, a towering figure with c

s my brother lifted his head, his bloo

," he said, h

ss