"They've been giving me... treatments," Lucious explained, shame colouring his voice. "Infusions of something they called 'shadow essence.' For years. Helena said it was preparing my wolf to emerge as something greater."
The Priestess approached from the main house, her ancient eyes sharp with concern. "We must cleanse his blood before moonrise," she declared without preamble. "If what he says is true, the Northern Alliance has been systematically corrupting his connection to his wolf."
"How?" I asked, urgency making my voice sharp. "How do we undo seventeen years of their influence in a matter of hours?"
"The same way you freed the wolves from their corrupted humans," she replied calmly. "Through the goddess's power flowing through your bloodline connection."
I felt Diamond stir withi
