idge stretched endlessly, e

th a few sharp words. But her father's text loomed larger, its words like a cold blade: The forests are restless. Her mom's voice echoed in her head

th Derek swam in. This was her haven-her mom's herbscented kitchen, her dad's steady presence.

Garrick's broad shoulders, usually squared with an alpha's strength, slumped under an invisible burden. Hi

d, voice rough like g

otebook from Derek heavy inside it, like a secret she wasn't ready t

hysical blow. It was raw, alive, stealing the air from the

a small wooden wolf from his desk, a gift from her mom, his fingers tracing its edges.

ur territory?" The howl she'd heard after meeti

ing wolves to join them, using some twisted purification rite. Their numbers are swelling. We're peacekeepers, Skye, not warriors. Our best shot is to find new land

and separate from her confusion over Derek.

louder than any answer. His face w

hisper, fear roaring in

ood. The Red Pack's training ground was chaos-young warriors with glowing crimson and amber eyes clashed in brut

from the air. His red eyes burned, scars mapping his face and arms like a history of

looking at Derek. His voice was

his tone even. Skye's golden eyes flashed in

r is here." He turned, his gaze a physical force. "The White Wolf is weak, running like a coward with his pack. Now

chest, hot and familia

blood and dominance-overwhelming the forest. "Y

His father's spies were everywhere, even on campus. T

words bitter. Skye's defiance was

ow you down. They're the White Pack's disease, and I won't have it in my blood." He waved his hands and po

s glinting with hunger and fear. Four agai

sts slammed into his ribs, his jaw, his back. Blood filled his mouth, sharp and metallic. He fought back, claws flashin

eper than any blow. "Get up! I didn't raise a

nt's, not a teacher's. But Skye's face-her unimpressed glare, her fire-fla

into the fray, moves sharper, fueled by

his eyes a storm of grief. The truth

voice breaking like glass. "T

to her mouth, a ga

inds, made them his. And Kaida..." He gripped the wooden wolf, knuckles white. "She stood her g

er mom-vibrant, stubborn, human-gone. Delay

tter laugh choking him. "Thought she was just t

e hug. They clung to each other, two broken pieces in

is voice hardening to steel. "I'll

ustice. But Skye felt only fear. A war was coming,

her: her mom's warm smile and Derek's crimson eyes.

cruel to

nd the one she was step

caught in th

nce was a void, swallowing everything. She stared at Derek's notebook, untouched in her bag. It felt

okay? Campus is WILD. Skye didn't reply. She couldn't explain the

, its lore steeped in blood and chaos. It had always been a story, a puzzle to so

ed, his body bruised but unbroken. His father's words echoed-weakness, power, Alpha-but Skye's face

s restless, and Damon's plans were moving. Derek's world was cl