The moon hung low, casting silver beams across the forest. The wind carried scents of pine, damp earth, and faintly… something more elusive. Something Kaelen couldn’t quite name but that twisted his insides every time it brushed his senses.
He had taken to patrolling with his warriors more often, restless in a way that no council meeting or sparring session could soothe. Tonight was no different. His wolf paced under his skin, agitated, straining forward as if searching for something—or someone.
Magnus growled low, his voice a snarl in Kaelen’s head. She is close. I can feel her.
Kaelen gritted his teeth. “You keep saying that,” he muttered under his breath, careful not to let his men hear. “Yet every time, it slips away.”
The warriors fanned out behind him, alert but unaware of the tu
