Alpha Torin stood frozen, his gaze still fixed on the spot where Freya had vanished.
The warmth of her presence, the searing pull of their bond, had evaporated, leaving him hollow. A phantom ache gnawed at his chest, it was sharp and deep.
“I felt her…” he rasped. “She was there.”
Elira, still stunned, turned toward him. Her voice quivered. “That wasn’t her in full, Alpha. That was… a piece of what’s left.”
He whipped toward her, eyes glinting with desperation. “What do you mean what’s left?”
Elira hesitated, then with a chilling voice, she said,. “Her soul is… gone.”
Torin's breath caught. “Then bring her back!” he thundered. “Summon her again. Do it now!”
“I can’t just summon what no longer answers!” Elira’s voice cracked, but Torin’s expression left no room for argument.
“You h
