Watching Hudson’s silver carriage vanish into the mist, Madison Clarke stormed back to her chambers. A ritual bath revived her predatory spirit, but an urgent, heavy thud against her door interrupted the silence.

Avery assumed it was Harper or Sadie. The sanctuary’s security was fortified with Sentinel wards, and she carried a distress talisman etched into her skin for safety.

Comforted by the ancient protections, Avery unlatched the heavy oak door, only to find Hudson standing there, his Alpha aura darkened to the color of a storm-tossed sea.

Startled, Avery tried to slam the door, but Hudson surged forward, his boots blocking the threshold. Just as the wood nearly met...