t so real-so inevitable. For years, she had dreamed of e

.. she c

rough her thoughts. "Yo

l trembling from the energy surging t

ck with magic, the scent of damp earth mixed with something ancient. They stopped in a

the symbols with her fingers. "Here, you will learn con

ated. "I don

do. Your emotions fuel your abilitie

s spent curled up alone while her packmates celebrated without her. She though

inside h

th her feet trembled, and the trees groaned as if bowing to her fury.

d into a smirk. "Go

untamed-like a caged beast desperate to break free. She extende

nt, nothin

n-c

deafening boom, fragments flying outward.

d done

earn to refine it. Uncontrolled power is jus

fe being powerless. Now, for the first time,

lene, determination

me ever

tingling from the raw energy she had unleashed. The boulder lay in jagged pieces

knowing smirk. "Power is

ts clenching. "I never

thout control is a weapon that can turn on its wielder." Selene took a step forw

om the ground, swirling like mist yet solid as ston

ions had been her fuel, but they were wild

plode outward. Instead, she pulled it inward, shaping it, commanding it. A

st

ming into the wall. Instead of shattering completely,

gleamed with approv

t. Serena's body ached, her limbs trembling with exhaustion, but she re

was on her kn

is awakening. But there is one final step

eat dripping down he

to a whisper. "You must

ene pressed a hand to her forehead. A surge

kne

eyes, she was no l

ss shadows. And before her, a massive black wolf

breath

was

true

east

ts fangs, growli

en-it

-

thick canopy above. Her wolf, still recovering from the brutal fight with Marissa, whined in protest,

s behind her sent chills down

ust any patrol-it wa

ormer

l remembered the warmth in his golden eyes, the way he used to look at her before he turned cold

n't be we

g and skidded down a slope. She had to reach the river

water's edge, a deep, menac

ssive black wolf stepped into her path,

mi

g before her in human form. His shirtless torso gleamed w

f?" he asked, his voice ca

ed as she stood her ground.

u have plenty of reasons. Y

he knew this game. He wanted

this

she said, lifting her chin defiantly. "

is eyes, but it was gone

low, almost dangerous. "But that

re you going to do? Drag me bac

ed. "If that's

rrogance. She had fought too hard, endured to

die than go

, in a blur of movement, Damian closed the distance between them,

through her skin-the mate bond still

den eyes locking onto hers. "You

pull away, but h

me

til you

im. "I don't have to lis

hing unreadable before he suddenly

was an edge of frustration beneath it. "Run all y

his wolf, his massive form blending into t

y breath, her heart p

Damian was playing... bu

would be the

ak before... he was about to

-