Elias spoke up, his voice rough. “We’ve heard rumors of her resurfacing. But we didn’t think she’d…”
“She did.” The stranger said sharply. “And she’s stronger than before. She’s not just playing games now. She’s finishing them.”
I felt the air shift. The wolf moved slightly, lowering itself until its massive body was between me and the stranger. I could feel its pulse hammering through my palm…protect. danger. now.
The hair on my arms rose.
“Why come here?” I demanded. “Why now?”
“Because you’re in her way.” They said simply. “And she’ll destroy you to keep her secret buried.”
Asher stiffened. “What secret?”
The stranger’s gaze flicked toward the forest. “That’s not mine to tell.”
The wolf growled again, louder now, vibrating the ground beneath us. Its body trembled, and its eyes g
