The howl echoed through the night, raw and jagged, carrying across the trees like a blade dragged against stone. The Shadow Moon wolves stirred instantly, voices rising, bodies tense, instincts bristling for battle.
But Lyra’s heart knew that sound before her mind caught up. It was etched into her bones, into the scar on her soul that still hadn’t healed.
Kael.
Her mate. Her rejected mate.
The storm inside her flared violently, lightning crackling across her skin. She staggered back a step, every nerve screaming. No. It couldn’t be him. He had cast her aside, left her hollow, forced her into a darkness she was still clawing her way out of. He couldn’t just appear.
But he had.
“Stay here,” Ronan growled, already storming toward the entrance of the cave. His voice was sharp, commanding
