Chaos erupted across the ridge the moment the shadows broke through.
Wolves scrambled to form defensive lines, claws scraping stone, growls vibrating through the air like thunder. The scent of fear spiked, sharp and metallic, mixing with the cold bite of night.
Rylan didn't hesitate.
He pulled me behind him, positioning his body between me and the swirling darkness. "Stay close."
I didn't argue. Not when the shadows moved like living smoke, twisting and reaching for anything warm, anything alive.
Rowan barked orders. "Form a circle! Keep the wounded in the center!"
Wolves shifted instantly, fur bristling, teeth bared. But the shadows didn't attack head‑on. They slithered along the ground, slipping between paws, curling around ankles.
Searching.
Hunting.
For me.
Rylan snarled, stepping forward. "Lucien! Show yourself!"
The shadows pulsed, as if amused.
Then a voice—cold, smooth, dripping with malice—echoed through the ridge.
"Brother… you're making this too easy."
Rylan stiffened. "Coward."
"Strategist," Lucien corrected. "Why waste energy when fear does the work for me?"
A wolf to our left collapsed, screaming as shadows wrapped around his throat. Another staggered, eyes rolling back. A third dropped to her knees, claws digging into the dirt as she fought something we couldn't see.
Rylan cursed under his breath. "He's targeting the weak first."
Rowan growled. "Then we protect them."
Rylan shook his head. "No. He's not after them."
His gaze slid to me.
My stomach twisted. "He's using them to get to me."
"Yes."
A shadow surged toward us, fast as lightning. Rylan moved instantly, slashing through it with glowing claws. The darkness shrieked, recoiling.
Rowan stared. "How did you—?"
"Shadow magic reacts to moon‑blessed wolves," Rylan said. "And Alphas burn brighter than most."
Rowan blinked. "You're moon‑blessed?"
Rylan didn't answer.
But the shadows did.
They recoiled from him.
Not from Rowan.
Not from the others.
From him.
Lucien's voice purred through the air. "Oh, he didn't tell you? How typical."
Rylan growled. "Shut up."
"Why?" Lucien asked. "They should know the truth. They should know why the moon chose you. Why it cursed you with a mate you can't have."
My breath caught.
Rylan's shoulders tensed. "Lucien—"
"Tell her," Lucien hissed. "Tell her what you are."
Rylan didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Didn't breathe.
Rowan stepped forward. "What is he talking about?"
Rylan's jaw clenched. "Not now."
Lucien laughed. "Oh, but now is perfect."
The shadows surged again, slamming into the ridge like a wave. Wolves scattered, some thrown off their paws, others pinned by tendrils of darkness.
Rylan grabbed my arm, pulling me behind a boulder as the shadows swept past. "Stay down."
I crouched beside him, heart pounding. "Rylan… what is he talking about?"
He didn't look at me. "Later."
"Tell me."
"Later."
"Tell me now."
His eyes snapped to mine, golden and burning. "I can't."
"Why?"
"Because you'll look at me differently."
The bond pulsed—hot, painful, desperate.
Before I could respond, a scream tore through the ridge.
Elias.
I shot to my feet. "Elias!"
Rylan grabbed me. "Lyra, wait—"
I ripped free and sprinted toward the healer's tent. Shadows swirled around it, thick and suffocating. Mira stood outside, claws out, fighting to keep them back.
"Mira!" I shouted.
She turned, eyes wide. "Lyra! He's inside—he's—"
A shadow slammed into her, knocking her to the ground.
I lunged forward, claws out, but the darkness wrapped around my legs, dragging me down. I hit the ground hard, breath knocked from my lungs.
The shadows tightened.
Cold.
Suffocating.
Alive.
Lucien's voice whispered in my ear. "There you are."
I struggled, but the shadows held me fast.
"Such a pretty little wolf," Lucien murmured. "No wonder the moon chose you. No wonder my brother is obsessed."
Rylan roared somewhere behind me. "Get away from her!"
Lucien laughed. "Come take her, then."
The shadows tightened around my throat.
I gasped, vision blurring.
Then—
A blast of golden light exploded across the ridge.
The shadows shrieked, recoiling violently.
Rylan stood at the center of the blast, eyes glowing like molten fire, claws blazing with moonlight. His entire body radiated power—raw, ancient, terrifying.
Rowan staggered back. "What—what are you?"
Rylan didn't answer.
He moved.
Fast.
Too fast.
He tore through the shadows like they were smoke, ripping them apart with glowing claws. Every strike sent shockwaves through the ridge. Wolves stared, stunned, as the darkness retreated.
Lucien hissed. "So you finally show them."
Rylan snarled. "Stay out of her mind."
Lucien's voice curled like smoke. "Make me."
Rylan lunged toward the healer's tent, where shadows still clung to the entrance. He slashed through them, grabbed my arm, and pulled me into his chest.
The bond pulsed so hard it stole my breath.
"Are you hurt?" he demanded.
I shook my head, still dazed. "No. I—Rylan, what was that?"
He didn't answer.
He couldn't.
Because the shadows surged again, forming a shape—tall, humanoid, eyes glowing black.
Lucien.
Not fully here.
Not fully gone.
A shadow‑projection.
He smiled through the darkness. "Hello, little wolf."
Rylan stepped in front of me, claws glowing. "Touch her and I'll tear you apart."
Lucien tilted his head. "You can try."
Rylan growled. "I will."
Lucien's smile widened. "Then let's see how far you'll go… moon‑cursed Alpha."
My breath caught.
Moon‑cursed.
Rylan stiffened.
Rowan stared. "What does that mean?"
Lucien laughed. "Oh, he didn't tell you? He didn't tell her?"
Rylan's voice was a whisper. "Lucien. Stop."
Lucien leaned forward, shadows swirling. "Tell her, brother. Tell her why the moon chose you. Tell her what you are."
Rylan didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Didn't breathe.
Lucien's voice dropped to a hiss. "Tell her you're not just moon‑blessed."
The shadows curled around him like a crown.
"Tell her you're moon‑marked."
The ridge fell silent.
My heart stopped.
Rylan closed his eyes.
And the bond pulsed—painful, desperate, terrified.