The howl that tore from Ava silenced every wolf in Ashbourne.
It swept across Alpha Carter’s estate and the surrounding territory, carrying an authority no one in the garden could explain. The wolves inside the ballroom lowered their heads without thinking, while those who had partially shifted were forced back into human form. Even Alpha Carter hesitated before turning his dark wolf toward Ava.
She remained on her knees beside the shattered fountain, surrounded by silver light and broken stone. The power had thrown the attackers across the garden, but it had also drained the last of her strength. Her arms trembled as she tried to hold herself upright, and the silver glow in her eyes flickered while the wolf inside her continued attacking the cracked seal.
The masked men recovered first
