"She could use him to weaken Zephyr's bond to Avalon," Osilus finished. "Or worse, strengthen her own bond once the mating ceremony happens." For a split second, my world stopped.

"That's insane," I cried "Mate bonds are sacred. They can't be manipulated by outside magic."

"Normally, no," Elias agreed. "But Zephyr isn't normal right now. She's been drained by vampire ritual magic. Her bonds are already damaged, in this state, she's quite vulnerable to manipulation in ways a healthy wolf wouldn't be."

"So Valta saves her life," Osilus said slowly, "uses the healing process to weaken her bond to Avalon, then swoops in with a mating ceremony that will be...