The wind stopped.
The light changed.
And then the guardian stepped from the trees.
It wasn't just a wolf.
It was older than wolf. It was a Lycan... They were wiped out over 1500 years ago.
It was over ten feet tall at the shoulder. Smoke instead of fur. Antlers twisting back like a crowned god of bone and fire. Its eyes were gold, pupil-less, burning straight through to Vireya's spine like it could see through her. Recognizing the mark on her back like it was all it needed to know she was the chosen one.
Kael shifted half a step in front of her, teeth bared. "Don't."
Iska hissed. "No, Kael—"
But it was too late.
The guardian roared.
Not a sound.
A command.
And everything went black.
_________________________________________________________________
She woke in the grove.
But
