Aria stood by Lucien’s side, her white fur a stark contrast to his midnight black fur. Her eyes narrowed as the Marcus ran, panic and fear etched into his very posture.

Around them, smoke still clung tightly to the air and the tang of blood, iron and burnt flesh still filled her wolf senses. It was all a reminder of the carnage that had taken place in the clearing, and a promise of what was about to follow.

Immediately, Marcus turned tail and ran, Lucien growled, and without a single word, he lunged forward. His muscles coiled and released like bowstrings as he bounded across the clearing in a blur...