her alarm, the city humming beneath her as if waiting. She didn't check her phone rig

head. Then I'll spend my l

-or if-the moment came. But she kne

of what choosin

nial armor. Polished obsidian and etched gold detailed the breastplate ac

rive to finalize their treaties. Today

ld make Marisa vi

y to speak for herself,

e she

bond had onl

der Pack stood tall in their ceremonial robes, their leader-Alpha Min Jae-wearing a half-smile that never q

he bowed with formality but little sincerity. "I hea

hange is necessary w

the gathered nobles. Kai raised

me," he said, voice steady. "She is not fr

nned. "A human. How

bond does not ask permis

peace will not come at the expense of the Moo

as a lo

s time. "Very well, Alpha King. We

linted with so

urls while Tamir watched TV with a sketchpad in

curtain. A woman stood on the porch-reg

door slowly. "C

s Jihae. I'm here on behalf of Kai Seun

ked. "He sen

" Jihae said gently. "The

en stepped aside. "Th

é, her thoughts spiraling. Her pho

her drawing. "Mommy, the man in the dream is he

s heart

t finish

alread

just before the formal

n said. "Min Jae won't leave it

plied coldly. "I'

h above the estat

olves wer

, tension crackled like lightning. The full moon bathed everything in sil

robes to reveal combat gear-armor etched with sigils, his bare

e carrying across the court. "You risk our fut

wl. "You question the

ur judgment,"

ward, shedding his own cloak. "Then mee

magic. No weapons. Only stre

ntered, and drove him back with a brutal precision. Blow for blow, the battle rage

just defen

claim

watched, sile

ment, Jihae rose from her seat as the shado

into the back room

scooped Tatum into her arms and

es glowing faintly. "Rebel scouts. Possibly

choed through

d the door, her bo

not let

of their King-and his

ed the mental link and projected her v

er attack. I will defend them

with Min Jae's jaw in a punishing arc. But

eard

elt

of Jihae's protectiveness threading through the link. The bo

, fiercer. His strikes became sharper, mo

after hi

nt windows. Jihae moved like a flash of steel, her form shifting full

sa through the link before pouncing th

Tamir stood frozen until Janessa pushed him behind her

t around her neck-a twin to he

reeled, clutc

blood on her muzzle and rage in

om fel

ldren w

r

d. Blood soaked through the torn edge of his tunic, but his stance remained solid.

will never belong here

pillars. "She is the line. The fu

ishing strike to Min Jae's ribs that sent him crashing to the ground. Gasps r

blazing. "The Moon chooses. And

nce

uncil

to Min Jae. Jun moved to his side,

ed back to reveal the full moon in its glory.

ance, something

he-wolf had

sharp and fu

," she whispered to the night

he shadows, plott

ad only j

victory. The scent of blood and sweat lingered in the cold night air,

then down at the Moon altar.

eeper," he told J

. "You're g

hem.

gave a curt nod and disappea

ut let this be a reminder-my pack extends beyond our borde

could respond, his stride p

opened beneath the sacred

leaving behind whispers of prophecy

power rolling off him in invisible waves. Dressed in battle-worn armor and still marked by b

elling shut. She shifted back into human form, panting.

nched. He stepped past h

till gripping the broken lamp like a weapon. Tamir peeked over

he sa

shoulder

ir whispered. "

s gaze. "Yes. And I'm real. I promised yo

glowing pendant around her neck. "I

"That's because it k

. "So you're the man behind all this.

ou everything. For

let's not waste time. Wha

. "Prepare for war.

heart pounding in her chest. The guards had already recognized her

tone paths and silent statues, and a soft wind carried the scent she had c

alone, but

as she made her way through the estat

he grand courtyard

d before she could ask.

d him. "Di

And then he left. To

shimmered. "

t just a bond. You're a catalyst. A

nd, a ripple of magic

plit for

ai re

mor-worn, and fier

et across th

ime, she d

ed to hi

hem, her footsteps soft against the stone. The moment she reached him, her hand

urt," she

said, voice low, eye

swirling too fast to c

her waist. "Jihae held them until I could

face in his shoulder. He smelled like bat

ighting. When they were in danger. I didn't

he said. "It's

ook him in the eye. "You left ev

gain. Withou

and kissed him-fierce and tender,

ound them, the Moon

nd had

o had