Thane's POV

It was far too quiet in the woods around Moonfall Ridge as we entered the sacred grounds, and every fiber of my being told me we were being led into a trap. The moon was a blood moon, layering all in crimson and shadow, leaving it impossible to discern between actual threats and tricks of light.

“Move up ahead,” Liam whispered to my left, his pair of blue eyes scanning the tree line. "At least twenty, maybe more."

“Shadow Wolves,” I said, catching movements, shapes, and forms that appeared to ripple like liquid obsidian through the stands. "They're not trying to hide."

“Because they want to help,” Elena...