sta

night like a blade. My blood ran cold

low and dangerous as his wolf senses sharpen

ew was coming. Cole wasn't going to accept my ascension quietly. He'd rally whoever he could and challenge me head-

eyes scanning the treeline. Ezra stepped f

" Dante muttered

Shadows flickered, and suddenly, from the forest's edge, Cole emerged, flanked by a dozen of his m

ard, his eyes locked on mine. "You don't belong here. You never did.

I straightened my shoulders, meeting his glare head-on. "This isn't about you, Cole," I said, my

deserves strength! And all I see is weakness from you." He pointed an

eplied. "I'm strong

replaced with anger. "Then prove it." He shifted his sta

blocking Cole's path. "You're not worthy of chal

e and his wolves, ready for anything. The tension

think these *outsiders* can protect you forever? They

e but with the pack. I saw some of them s

as if he were trying to convince me. "Yo

, Cole? A nobody? An exile? Someone you thr

ut the fury in his e

reached for me, aiming for a fatal blow. But before he could get close, Dante slammed into him with a fo

es before they could interfere. The clearing erupted into

pounded in my chest. I could feel it-the power inside me, pulsing, wa

ugh the noise, his wolf battling

ed to trust the power within me, to let it guide me. When I o

I raised my hand, and with a force I didn't fully understand, I pushed. The energy that had been building inside me b

The fighting stopped, a

y trembling from the impact. His eyes, wild with

id, my voice unwaverin

nsure whether to continue the fight. But then, from the shadows, a figure emerge

his eyes narr

s he looked back at the newcomer. "You d

mirk, amusement dancing in his eyes. "So, this is the new queen," he said, his voice silky and dri

irling mist began to form around him. It coiled and writhed

pping me as the mist seemed to take shape

ened with visib

see soo

ct or show my power to. I barely had time to throw up a shield of energy before they

ord in hand, but even he seemed overwhelmed by the d

in's magic was too strong. The shadows

into my core. I gasped, my knees buckling as the world spun around me. I looked dow

ft and mocking. "This is only the beginning,