Lila's POV
In the dark, Hayden's grin was like a sword. His enormous body was silhouetted against the starry sky as he stood surrounded by broken trees. His golden eyes glowed with predatory pleasure as they met mine, and blood poured from his claws—too much blood.
"Hello, Lila." His voice sounded like a menace veiled in velvet. "I've been waiting."
Behind me, Kael's sister sobbed and scurried. With a growl that would have sent lesser wolves reeling, Kian sprung into action and stepped between Hayden and me.
"Where's Kael?" With a voice more steady than I felt, I demanded.
Hayden grinned broadly. "Alive. For the time being." He c****d his head, examining me as if I were a test subject. "Since our previous encounter, you've become stronger. It was an amazing fire in the cave.
A phanto
