woods like a foreboding symphony. Laura's heart

whispered, "w

tree line. "Stay close to me," he said firmly. "No ma

d, her hand

y were larger than any natural wolf Laura had ever seen, their fur gleaming under the fain

began to shift. Fur receded, bones cracked and reformed, and within moments, a man stood bef

is voice deep and gravel

ened. "Ronan," he

ing the tension between them

Derek muttered without t

mirk. "Is that what we're calling i

rothers," De

tine, I see. But it seems you've picked up a stray." His eyes

rek growled, stepping prote

Ronan said. "You've dragged her into our

ted into human form, thei

ere, Ronan?" D

. He's rallied the pack, and they're coming for you. But it doesn't have to end with b

to do with Victor-or yo

ned. "Then you lea

-

for Su

aring erupted into chaos as the other two wolve

es collided with a force that shook the ground. Teeth snapped

ng as she searched for something to defend herself with. Her fingers closed around a large rock

free from Ronan's grasp. He lunged at the wo

shouted, his voice dist

ed toward the Tree of Life, hoping its mystica

ling as it crouched to attack. Laura

st her, and Derek tackled the w

ouch her!" D

and charged at him. They collided once more,

d the vision of Eleanor and the amulet. If the Tree of

ark and closed her eyes, focus

-

ge of

e from the tree. The light grew brighter, enveloping the clearing. The

ight washed over him. The same happened to Ronan and his pa

demanded, shielding hi

ld feel the tree's energy flowing throug

"This isn't over," he snarled. "You c

appeared into the woods, his

Laura sank to the gro

her side. "Laura

she said weakly. "W

his voice filled with

-

nt of

assed, Derek helped L

g incredible back

ow what I did,"

said. "I've never seen anything lik

oman who looked like her. "Do you think it's be

ek said. "But we nee

-

Determ

her connection to the Tree of Life was more important than ever. If they could

g out. Victor was gathering his forces,

wasn't just a bystander in Derek's world anymore. She was a part of it,