of the MoonClaw pack, led a group of his most trusted warriors through the dense undergrowth. Their mission was clear: investigate

scanned the surrounding darkness, alert for any signs of danger. The recent disturbances had disrupted the

lage they had attacked was now a smoldering ruin, its charred remains a stark contrast to the serenity of the surroun

is senses were heightened, every sound and movement amplified in the tense atmosphere. His

who remained were huddled together, their faces etched with terror. Lucian's gaze fell upon them, his expres

oice low and authoritative. "I want to kno

an stood still, his gaze fixed on the remnants of the village. He

rrowed as he approached, the figure emerging from the shadows. It was a young woman, her clothes tattered and her face streake

She was his second chance mate, a concept he had long since dismissed and buried. The discovery was jarring, and Lucian's h

growl. The warrior, a burly man named Thorne, l

Thorne explained. "She appears to b

mixture of terror and confusion. He could see the mark on her wrist, faint but unmistakable, and it pique

cian ordered. "We need to

flinched at his touch, her eyes darting between him and Lucian. Lucian watched with a mixture of curios

er knees buckling. Lucian's irritation flared. "Get her

brought to his side. She looked up at him with eyes full of quest

his usual stern demeanor. "You are in no position to make demands," he said, his ton

't know. We've never seen anything like it. They came

at do you know about the mark on your wrist? It matche

y reaching for the mark on her wrist. "A prophecy? I don

re the only survivor, and you have a mark that matches the pro

"I swear, I don't know. I've had these dreams, but they don't

drawn to the woman, sensing that there was more to her than met the eye. The prophecy had spoken of a woman with a mar

ath was still raw, a wound that refused to heal. The idea of another mate was both foreign and unsettling, and he buried his feelings unde

e need to take her to the Pack. We'll fin

ed as they prepared to leave the ruined village, his mind already turning over the implications of their

tark contrast to the cold determination of Lucian and his pack. The journey back to

vulnerability stirred something within him. He could not afford to let his guard down, not when so much was a

ng structure loomed ahead, its stone walls the Pack against the encroaching darkness. Lucian's mind was focuse

ld uncover the truth, no matter what it took. The woman's presence was a beacon o