Ayla's POV
The ground trembled under my feet.
The crack in the snow widened as Veylor's shadow-wolf hauled itself into the pack, its body a mass of smoke and bone, its eyeless skull dripping black ichor. The air stank of iron and rot, thick enough to claw down my throat.
Northmoon wolves scattered, yelping and shifting in panic. The freed wolves backed toward the treeline, fur bristling, torn between fight and flight.
Kael's black wolf crouched at my side, golden eyes blazing, a low, lethal growl rolling from his chest. "He's here, he sent through the bond, his mental voice rough and furious. She brought a piece of him into our pack."
I swallowed hard, silver fire racing under my skin as my runes flared. "Then we send it back."
Cassia stood in the center of the carnage, arms raised, jade eyes gleaming with triumph. "Behold your god, wolves of Northmoon!" Her voice rang like a hymn. "Bow… or burn!"
The shadow-wolf lunged.
