The clearing where the ritual was to be held brimmed with unease. The air was thick with the mingling scents of earth, wildflowers, and ba

ould feel the pull of the moon's energy swirling around them, ancient and restless. Every instinct screame

s his shoulder blade shimmered, reacting to the power in the air. His dark hair clung to his face, his expression unreadable but resolute.

sk of mourning , false mourning. Aria knew now what lurked behind those i

e Blood Moon. Ka

ought her life was forfeit. But to her shock, the rogue mercenary had listened. Whatever past sins haunted Callen M

a felt powerless. What could one healer and a half-tr

itual

emselves , stepped forward, chanting ancient words in a forgotten tongue. The pa

ble strings tugged at the very marrow of her bones. Her vision blurred,

e whispered wi

but no one

not let

Kade, bloodied, falling to his kn

n chaos

he air with deadly precision. It missed Kade by inches

iven's voic

ck, weapons gleaming crimson in the moonlight. The pack surged to defend their Alpha, but c

bsidian under the blood-hued sky. He launched himself at

ery movement was graceful, lethal, a creature bor

ed one, but the other's blade found purchase, slashing

ashed into the fray, ignoring Riven's shouted warning, dodging grasping hands and c

ation, Aria r

he assassin square in the chest. He flew backward as though stru

clearing for a heartbeat

asped. "The Healer's

spinning. What had she done? S

IND YOU!"

la

t eyes locked on hers in warning, not betrayal. He tackled h

d protection?" he rasped,

ou're b

he pri

flanked by loyal pack members. The battlefield blurred into chaos ,

ade was outnumbered, blood darkeni

t like

s massive form. He growled weakly,

it's not

ercely, placing her hands a

h her, instinctive and wild. Her palms glowed with pale light, seeping int

beneath her touch, h

esitated, shake

ra's voice rang out, sharp an

surged forward,

ething within

roaring wave of light and power. She stood, her hair

!" she

ttackers backward as if they were no more than leaves in a storm. The very earth

d fell into st

stepped forward, he

breathed. "The

ed. Kade shifted back to human form, barely stea

o strides, catching

mured, disbelief and some

n't let

no longer subtle but a tangible, und

ied, his face a mixture of relief a

he reported gruffly.

de's touch, exhaust

ade said, cradling her c

s's voice cut thr

Alpha. And the blood curse tied to

, knowing nothing wo

r Blac

for

for