always held it

h stone, tucked them into shadows that stretched too long at dusk. Even in daylight, Ashbourn

ranches above, but it held no warmth. Frost clung to the moss despite the hour. Her fingertips grazed a sigil carved into the bark of an ancient el

ne was fre

urled in the

asn't

ra's voice came from be

ne marked the wards. Some

Willow. The coven hasn't crossed this peri

face. "Then someone's lying

lieve what you saw in the ritual?

I felt it. Her pain. Her sacrifice. She t

en maybe someone's trying

ould answer, t

ace just beyond the trees shimmered. It bent and twisted, like heatwaves in reverse. A figur

orward, heart p

ipating like mist before her

aught. "What the

d the trees, searching for the impossible. "Some

lodge, Silas

s folded across her chest like a barrier. Her face

" she said flatly. "But I wo

e chair, one brow raise

s walking a dangerous path. And

de her

rrowing. "She was born int

ime she decides who she wants to become

a whisper. "Be careful, Alpha. The deeper she

reply, the door cre

ded, a faint flush on her cheeks.

he Hollow," she said.

pened instantly. "

tepping inside. "Blo

's face. "You need to sta

" Rowan snapped, fire edging her voice. "

haps, or memory. "Then be ready for what you find. The Hollow does

ht, the world

ed in a hush, shadows dancing softly against the lodge walls. The only light ca

ritual with Silas. It hadn't faded like the others. If anything, it had grown darker, clearer.

s stepped into the room, his movements heavier than usual.

" she aske

pped into the chair opposite her

them," he

d her head.

up. His words spread like mold. They thin

was low. "Ar

ed. There was no accusation in h

an. But power and dan

er knees. "They're close, though. Somet

gers brushing hers gen

t a soft knock interrupted her. Not

cautiously, every muscle alert. He wa

e was

the

t behind. Placed deliberat

ts blade was engraved with runes t

caught. "That w

at her. "Ar

"Because I buri

t his fingers made contact with the blade, the run

recoiled, the dagger c

es didn

lsed st

iv

the markings. The symbols shimmered, twisting into a shape she c

ng," she said

his hand still smartin

d her gaze

art po

was barely

the wolf... and