*Ember*The words echoed through my mind like a far-off whisper carried by the wind of my hopes and deepest fears. Alec was alive. He was still fighting, but what of the shadow walkers? Would they betray him? Were they aligned with Lukas?I could hear his voice in the back of my mind. I felt the cold of the night air on my skin and stiffened my jaw as my heart started to race. The cool breeze of the evening ruffled my hair as I tried to think. Whitelark Castle was so far away from where my mind was. “How is the fight going?” Lauryn asked. He winced. “They're pushing back Lukas' forces, but the battle is fierce. There are reinforcements coming from the West, we think."My gut turned. I bit my lip, trying to suppress the surge of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. “How many? How quickly will they get there?” I asked. His eyes widened as he stared at me, seemingly speechless. Was he surprised that I was asking, or was it my tone? “Tell me!”He jolted and shook
*Alec*As I moved through the chaotic streets of the port city, my heart pounded in my chest like a warm drum. The scent of blood and sweat filled the air, a grim reminder of the toll this war was taking. The shadow walkers, led by Grey, fought beside me. Their movements were swift and coordinated as we pressed forward through the city headed toward the bridge, yet there didn’t seem to be an end to the number of Lukas’ enemies there.The city had become a battleground, each alley and street a potential trap. But we were determined and pushed through. With each step, I felt myself growing more tired, yet I couldn’t stop to rest. The coolness of the night dried my sweat. The tension in the air kept me on edge as we moved forward. I cast a glance at Grey. He met my gaze, a silent understanding passing between us. We were getting closer to the bridge, which meant the battle would get harder from here.He gestured behind him, and several of the wolves with him shifted and seemed to
*Ember*Love you…At that moment, the battlefield faded into the background, the clash of steel and cries of battle drowned out by the echo of Alec's words. The world around me seemed to blur into a chaotic whirlwind, leaving nothing but the sight of Alec on his knees between the two men. All I could hear was his voice. I didn’t even realize I was screaming, reaching for power within me, reaching for him as I ran, wishing I could just go a bit faster. One of Lukas' warriors pulled out his sword and took a stance right behind Alec, sword gleaming with deadly intent.Time seemed to slow as our eyes locked. The glint of malice in his gaze sent a spear of cold terror through me that turned into burning hot fury. I felt it surging through me. My power sparked and skidded. Despair sank in as I realized I couldn’t call the shadows up to stop him. I watched in agonizing slowness as the warrior drove his sword right through Alec’s back until the blade came out of his chest, red an
*Ember*His brow arched in curiosity, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "And what, pray tell, could that be?" he inquired, a mockingly polite smile tugging at his lips.The air was heavy with tension as Lukas regarded me, his expression a mix of curiosity and amusement. But it was his eyes that gave him away. There was just the smallest flicker of doubt in his eyes, a thread of uncertainty that seemed to gnaw at his confidence.“Well, Ember?”I held his gaze. "You didn't anticipate me making a deal with you," I replied, my voice steady despite the tumultuous emotions swirling within me.His lips twitched. A mirthless chuckle escaped his lips. It turned to full-on laughter after a moment. "A deal, you say? And why should I bother listening to your proposal, Ember?"His words were dripping with a mockery that grated on my nerves, but I pushed down the surge of anger that threatened to bubble over. I had to control myself. I had to do this. I paused and lo
*Alec*I woke up to darkness, my body aching, and a heavy weight on my chest. As my eyes adjusted to the fading light of day, I realized I was in the woods. Trees towered over me, their branches dancing in the breeze. I groaned and tried to move. I went rigid, panting through the pain that shot through me. As it ebbed, I pushed a little harder against the heavy weight on top of me. What was on top of me? I smelled blood, mostly mine, but there was also the dirt of dug-up earth and fallen leaves. Had someone tried to bury me? I almost snorted. It was just like Lukas’ men to do a half-ass job on even the simplest task. My stomach lurched as I rolled down the small burial mound to the forest floor. The world spun around me. I could feel that my injuries had started to close. I needed food and rest. I needed shelter if the darkened sky meant oncoming rain. I tried to stand, but my body screamed in protest. I choked on the pain, curling up as the sound of the evening and the fore
*Ember*I woke up in the dimly lit room, my body feeling heavy and lethargic. It had been a month since Alec’s death, a month Lukas had brought me back to the capitol, and every day seemed to stretch on endlessly, a monotonous cycle of despair and uncertainty. As much as I tried not to lose faith that I had done the right thing, there was no way to know for sure. Was Rhys still alive? Had Lukas already marched on Whitelark? I heard from the maids and the guards who patrolled and talked probably more than they should that Lukas was losing his grip on Western Allusia. The last battle against Whitelark had shaken his once formidable forces and fractured them, and the packs were turning against him. As much as I should have been glad that he was losing power, I couldn’t find it in me to smile. Every night, it seemed like I heard Alec whispering his last words to me. I saw the way he jolted as the sword pushed through his chest. I could smell his blood. It at once kept me awake and lul
*Ember*The days dragged on in the suffocating confines of the breeder’s room. My spirit was fading like a dying ember. Weakness gnawed at me, and my body ached with every movement. The dim light of the day barely illuminated the corners of the room, casting elongated shadows that seemed to mirror my own sense of despair. How long had it been since Lukas last came in and forced me to use the last of my strength? I didn’t know. I couldn’t even count the days by how many times he came in to yell at me. The clouds over the capital made it hard to tell if it was day or night most of the time, even if I managed to stay awake all day. I sat on the cold stone floor, my body weakened by both hunger and exhaustion. My fingers brushed over the barely noticeable bump of my stomach like a prayer. It was the only prayer I had these days, with Lukas’ words rattling around in my mind. How was I going to get out of here? How much longer did I have?“You have ten minutes.” The door creaked
*Alec*The night was thick with tension as we moved through the shadows, our steps muffled by the shadows under Grey’s control. As we neared the castle’s hidden entrance, my heart pounded in my chest, a mix of fear and determination coursing through my veins. Having seen Ember lying in that little room, one I knew too well had once been used by the former Alpha King’s breeder, had set a fire in me that would only be quenched when I saw Lukas’ cold, dead body at my feet. “This way,” Grey whispered, nodding down a dark alley.We followed him. The night was thick with tension as we moved through the shadows, our steps muffled by the darkness. The guards surrounding the castle were unsuspecting, their attention focused elsewhere, giving us the perfect opportunity to strike.Sawyer darted forward, quick and deadly, catching the nearest guard with a swift, silent strike. The man barely had a chance to grunt before Sawyer lowered him to the ground silently. Rhys took the next one and hi