The peace after war blanketed the forest in a haze. Kaden's dead men lay on the ground, their blood entwined with the wet soil, scent of pine and moss. Serena's heartbeat thudded in her head, too large for the silence that succeeded. Her gaze settled on the spot where the black wolf had been. And now, in his place, Killian had come, gasping and a jaw set, his face smeared with the other's blood.
He locked eyes on her instantly. There was no softness there only wrath tightly restrained. The air between them beat with a tension that wedged a knot into Serena's chest.
"Why were you here?" Killian spat. His voice was low and threatening, heavy with more power than if he had screamed.
Serena stammered. The truth clogged in her throat. She looked at Lucian beside her, who braced his shoulders
