Chapter 74
Third POV
The battlefield had barely stopped trembling.
Shadow-ash drifted through the air like black snow, settling on torn earth still steaming with the aftermath of the legion attack. The Alphas stood in a loose protective arc around Gabriella as her breathing steadied, the last sparks of her magic dimming from her fingers.
But the silence that followed was wrong.
Too sudden.
Too deep.
Too intentional.
Tristan stiffened first, every muscle going taut beneath his armor. His wolf—ever the tactician—felt it before the others did.
“Something’s still here,” he growled, turning his head just slightly toward the east ridge.
Rhael’s corrupted senses reacted immediately. His pupils narrowed to slits. His breath hitched. One hand flew to his temple as a dark whisper threaded
