The glowing red rune on Thorne’s chest pulsed with a sickening light. Each crimson flash perfectly matched the frantic beating of Elara’s heart.
Kael stood frozen in the bloody courtyard, his massive frame trembling under the moonlight. The golden fire of his wolf’s rage warred fiercely with the icy grip of pure terror. A Soul-Tether. Every Alpha was taught about it. It was the darkest form of blood magic in existence. To kill the monster who had tortured his mate meant signing his mate’s death warrant in the exact same breath.
"Checkmate, Alpha," Thorne wheezed, his lips curled into a grotesque smile. He let his head fall back onto the damp grass, entirely at ease despite being surrounded by snarling wolves. "You can't touch me. If I catch a fever, she burns. If I bleed out on this gras
