Chapter 165
Nobody moved after the wolf spoke.
The words settled over the clearing with enough weight to silence everything around them. Even the wind moving through the trees seemed to disappear, leaving only the suffocating stillness hanging over the territory.
"The Lycan King has awakened."
Ariana felt the air leave her lungs.
Outside the house, dozens of wolves remained on one knee with their heads lowered toward Kael. None of them looked confused. None of them hesitated. That frightened her more than the howl itself because this was not panic.
It was recognition.
Inside the room, Ryder looked like he had forgotten how to breathe. His face had gone pale as his eyes darted toward Kael and then immediately away again, like even looking directly at him suddenly felt dangerous.
Lucien's expression darkened instantly. "Damn it."
Kael finally moved.
