The howl ripped through the night again, low and guttural, so different from any wolf call that it sent a shiver crawling down my spine. The forest stilled. Even the crickets silenced, as though the world itself braced for what was coming.
The pack began to scatter, whispers turning into frantic orders, but the three alphas didn’t move from my side. They formed a wall before me—Lucien in front, Kael to the left, Darius to the right—three predators standing between me and whatever threat approached.
I should have felt safe. Shielded. But my heart thrashed violently, because I knew deep down this wasn’t about the pack. Selena’s taunts hadn’t been empty. The darkness had come for me.
The treeline writhed. Then, they stepped into the firelight.
Not wolves. Not men. Shadows wearing broken f
