The night air was thick with the scent of pine, blood, and impending war.
Elena raced through the forest beside Luke, her sleek brown-black wolf form moving with powerful grace.
The fresh claiming bite on her neck throbbed in time with the mate bond, sending waves of strength and clarity through her veins.
Through that bond she felt Luke’s fierce protectiveness, his controlled rage, and the steady anchor of his love.
Stay close to me, his voice echoed in her mind, deep and commanding.
Always, she sent back.
Howls erupted ahead — sharp, aggressive, and far too many.
Ironfang had crossed the eastern border in force this time. Not a full invasion yet, but a brutal probing attack designed to test Silverpine’s defenses and sow chaos before the next full moon.
When they burst into the
