The silence following Finn’s death didn't last. It was shattered by a sound that was more animal than human—a roar of grief and betrayal from Marek, who had been Finn’s mentor since the boy could walk.
"You... you parasite!" Marek screamed, his face contorted into a mask of pure, lupine rage.
He didn't wait for Kael. He lunged, his silver-edged axe swinging in a wide, lethal arc aimed directly at my neck. I was still paralyzed, my skin buzzing with the stolen heat of Finn’s life, my eyes fixed on the shriveled husk at my feet.
Silas moved. But he wasn't fast enough.
The axe caught Silas across the ribs as he threw himself in front of me. The sound of silver slicing through Alpha flesh was a sickening, wet shrrp. Silas gasped, his knees buckling, but he didn't fall. He grabbed Marek by
