always still b

ergy waiting to be released. My pack was on edge--weary from traveling, scared of the unknown-

ight for the border

that were cast aside like trash now looked to me for strength. And strength

one of the most feared in the nation, and I knew any fight would be a slaughte

stioned as he fell into step beside me, h

and confident. "If they refuse to obey, we take

eyebrows furrowed. "Wha

black form of the Midnight Howl pa

ome with us. Ronan's power is based

-

at something was

t before, but there was no sign of Ronan's pack.

s too

n the shade of towering pine trees. The scent of

f discomfort sweeping through us. Something didn't feel

s off," Kad

. "I fee

s, as quiet as ghosts. I did not li

n we sa

ood pooled around him, his body torn open a

ad been torn apart, limbs torn from its body.

ned here?"

This wasn't Ronan's work. Th

und. "Whatever it is,

s on the ground. Some had been warriors-probably from Midnigh

d, his voice tight with fear. "This is

ad. "This isn't Ronan's doi

rees, making my flesh creep. I felt it in m

a wolf, but some

airs up on the back of my neck. It was

ace pale. "Lilith, we nee

lf responded within me,

" I said to him. "Whatever

going in the direc

, I could see them. Dark shap

ves-no, not w

nearthly red light. Their bodies were twisted and deformed,

nary wolves. They w

erged from

ark. Po

s a w

ed with an otherworldly light. She was enveloped in a cloak of the blackest s

voice steady despite the

smile spreading across her li

put an end to Ronan's

older than any winter nigh

ne of Ronan's,

shadows retreating as she did. "But he is

y wolf's fury simmer

to go through me

led with enjoyment. "I

out a low, throaty sound tha

ted, their red eyes shining

attle, my Queen," Kade

and old. We weren't fighting wolves anymore. We

d forward, her h

worthy of the throne

hat, the b

-

struck like ghosts, appearing and disappearing with terrifyi

that came at us from every direction. I could feel the burn of exhaust

the woman

rst of energy shot out of it,

e impact of the blow

snarled. "You're a child playing at a t

, my vision blurry. "

ger, feeling its heartbeat, its po

and, summonin

obe

d around us. My wolf, Solara, lunged forward, pushing the dar

t me, her eyes sla

she whispered, he

ake a move, a shadow l

tall and d

ck, sending her

?" I br

e, his silver

, "I wasn't going to

but with Kieran by my side,