Elira's POV

Neran. Renzo.

The last two people I ever wanted anywhere near me—especially now, especially here.

My throat tightened. Aiden lay unconscious behind me, still fighting the fever that tried to drag him under, while outside, wolves I knew too well prowled closer.

Max’s voice had barely faded when I rose to my feet, a cold, sharp calm settling inside me. The kind of calm you only feel when anger has burned everything else away.

“How close are they?” I asked.

“Close enough to know someone’s here,” Max replied, running a hand through his hair. “But they’re searching the ridge instead of coming straight here. They’re… confused.”

Good.

Let...