Elara's POV
Silence.
It was the first and worst thing I realized. The bond that had lived in my chest like a second heart all these while had gone utterly, terrifyingly silent. Not quiet. Empty. A void where warmth and certainty had been. The shock of it was physical, it was a punch that stole my breath and left me cold on the mossy rise.
Below, the battle continued without its Alpha, without a leader. I felt the pack’s confusion as a dull roar in my own head. Rylan was shouting orders, trying to hold the line. Aric’s roar was one of frustration and not command. They were breaking apart non-stop, which was pretty bad. I wished I could do something to help.
A hunter, emboldened by the chaos, saw me standing alone. He raised his rifle.
I didn’t have Lucian’s speed. I didn’t even have my
