’Luna, there’s trouble!’
Reana’s eyes snapped open when her mindlink buzzed with urgency. She bolted upright in bed, heart pounding, her senses sharpening in an instant.
’What is it?’ she sent back sharply through the link, already swinging her legs off the mattress.
The reply was rushed, laced with fear. ’It’s Kael. He’s on a rampage. We need you—now!’
Without wasting a second, Reana grabbed the robe at the end of the bed, threw it over her nightgown, but just before she could reach the door, she halted and turned back to look at Ryder.
He was still sleeping peacefully. Her brows creased slightly. She didn’t want to leave him, not after the bizarre incident that happened earlier.
Reana was still shocked but there was no one to answer her mountain of questions, except Ryder. So, she would wait for him to wake up.
But even though she was scared of leaving him alone, Reana couldn’t leave her pack unattended.
She could have called a few warriors to guide the room, however, because of his appearance, she couldn’t risk him being seen by anyone.
At that mont of dilemma, Reana rembered that black cloaked figure. He’d protected Ryder earlier, which ant that he could protect him again.
"Are you there?" she asked into the space. "You, black cloaked man. Are you–"
The space rippled and the cloaked figure appeared with his back turned to Reana.
Her heart shuddered and she subconsciously took a step back. "You heard ..." she whispered, both wary and relieved.
The figure gave a small nod without turning around. His presence, though silent, radiated a steady, controlled power that soothed the worst of Reana’s fears.
"I have to go," she said, voice trembling slightly. "Stay here. Protect him. No one must see him. No one must touch him. If anyone cos too close–" She faltered, then she clenched her jaw. "–do whatever it takes to keep him safe."
The black-cloaked man inclined his head once more, acknowledging her command.
Reana hesitated for only a heartbeat longer before steeling herself and rushing out of the room. As she tore down the hallway, barefoot and barely dressed, she sent a ssage through the link to the pack’s inner circle:
’I’m on my way. Hold him back if you can. No one engages unless absolutely necessary!’
...
anwhile, on the other side, a murderous black wolf stood in the fields outside the packhouse. The snow drizzled on his fur, casting an illusion of black dots on him.
His chest heaved, as he bared his fangs. His golden eyes glowed like molten fire, scanning the warriors encircling him with lethal intent.
Many warriors had fallen, including Beta Thane had fallen under him.
The grass beneath his paws was scorched from the sheer rage radiating from him. His massive body trembled with the effort it took to stay barely tethered to reason.
The warriors that circled him ar a distance didn’t dare to move closer. They’d seen what happened to the others who tried.
So were thrown clear across the yard like a rag doll. The others writhed on the ground with shattered bones.
’Luna! Hurry!’ soone cried frantically through the link.
From the shadows, Elder Collins watched grimly, his jaw tight. "He’s out of control," he muttered. "If we don’t act fast—"
"She’s coming," a warrior replied, his voice clipped, eyes locked on Kael. "Hold position."
Kael’s snarl ripped through the air, a sound so feral and broken that even the trees seed to flinch. His claws gouged deep marks into the earth as he paced in a wide, erratic circle. Every instinct in him scread: Destroy. Rip apart. Burn.
And then—
A pure white wolf burst into the field.
She didn’t hesitate. Didn’t breathe. She sprinted straight toward him.
Sensing her arrival, Kael howled so loudly it seed to split the very sky. His massive body jerked mid-prowl, head snapping toward the flash of white.
Reana. Her white wolf almost blended in with the snow.
The mont she crossed into his reach, he lunged — his enemy was here. It was here for Reana. It was here to destroy her.
Their bodies collided with a bang, knocking Reana onto her back. Just as his jaws closed on her throat, her paw slamd into his face, jarring him sideways. Taking the second of distraction she turned on her hinds.
She barely had ti to brace before he struck again, faster, more brutal. His claws raked toward her side. She twisted away, but his swipe clipped her shoulder, a searing pain lancing through her.
She growled.
He’s faster, she realized.
Not just faster. Kael was stronger. Wildly, monstrously stronger. The Kael she knew was a terror — but this Kael was a monster. A savage, like a possessed monster!
No wonder the pack warriors couldn’t contain him.
Reana leapt back, her white fur bristling.
’What happened to you?’ her mind scread.
But there was no ti for questions before Kael charged.
She t him head-on, their bodies colliding with a thunderous crash that shook the earth. For a fleeting second, she managed to hold him, her teeth sinking into the thick fur at his neck – but he threw her off like she was nothing but a leaf in a hurricane.
Reana tumbled hard, skidding across the snowy field. Pain flared in her ribs, but she rolled onto her paws instantly.
Kael stalked toward her, molten gold eyes locked on her like a predator closing in for the kill.
Around them, the warriors flinched — but none moved. This was beyond them. Their only hope was their Luna.
Reana’s mind raced. She was the Luna. She was trained, she was the strongest mber of the pack. She had fought and defeated Kael countless tis before. But not this Kael.
This Kael was untouchable.
He lunged again. She barely dodged, feeling his claws graze her flank. Blood spilled from the shallow cut, dying her fur red.
I can’t beat him, she realized, a chill cutting through her chest.
Not unless she killed him.
And she couldn’t.
She wouldn’t.
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