The Shadow King stood at the edge of the academy grounds, a towering silhouette wrapped in smoke and void. His presence swallowed the light. The torches lining the walls flickered and died, one by one.
Students gathered behind magical barriers, staring in horrified silence.
Ivy could barely breathe.
Her blood pulsed like a war drum. Her palms burned with fire that wanted to rise. Every cell in her body screamed that something ancient had returned.
And it was looking at her.
“Ivy,” the Shadow King’s voice echoed, neither loud nor soft—just absolute. “Come. You are mine.”
Kael moved between them, claws out, eyes glowing silver. His Beta, Jax, and a line of academy enforcers stood at his back.
“She belongs to no one,” Kael growled. “Not even you.”
The King tilted his head. “You are yo
