My breath stuttered.
“No,” I whispered, forcing my focus tighter, deeper into the weave.
“Not yet.”
The ground behind us ruptured. Wolves didn’t charge up the hill the way soldiers should. They just… appeared out of thin air—magic snapping like bone as bodies were yanked through space and time and thrown violently into existence just beyond the ridge. Black-clad figures rolled to their feet, already moving, already hunting. Warriors coming straight at us.
“s**t. I guess the king found us,” Orion said calmly, already stepping in front of me. His voice didn’t rise, didn’t even waver—but his strength flared bright and sharp, a blade unsheathed.
“Stay seated Veyra. Don’t break the shield.”
Jax swore under his breath, eyes flashing with anger as he shifted partially, claws tearing throu
