Thane's POV

The soul ripper swooped down at Astella's heart like a falling star, its foul green light painting twisted shadows on the sacred stones. My wolf wailed within me, my every instinct shrieking at me to hurl my body between the blade and my mate, when her hand shot up to stop me in my tracks.

“You think you've seen death,” she whispered, and her voice filled the stone circle like wind through ancient trees. ”Let me demonstrate the concept of reincarnation.

The soul ripper struck her chest, and for that one heartbeat that lasted forever, I believed I would never see her again. The green light exploded, Kieran’s...