-called birth mother. The Warden's arrival only added to the suffocating pressure. His black arm

tepping forward with his suffocating

his body trembled as he was on the edge of shifting into his wolf form. My pulse pounded in

lating. "The girl has to decide. But know this, child.

leaded with me to stay, to trust him. Selene's expression was mysterious, her hand tightening its grip, it was promisi

I fal

yn, you don't have to do this.

eyes. "Your wolf doesn't understand. He clings to his pack's lies

"I'm tired of being told what I am and what I

I'll show you everything. The truth about your birth, your po

roat. "Evelyn, she's manipu

e ground beneath us shook so hard. The cracks spread like jagged veins, and a dark mist began to seep a

shoved me behind him, his body shifting mid-motion as his claws extended and he met the Warden

me now!" Se

rden was relentless, his every blow was calculated, every step measured. Rowan's movemen

elf," Selene hissed. "You're the key, Evely

nd the promise of answers. The locket around my neck

e'll betray you, girl," he sneered, his voice d

ards Selene. "What

e's lying. He'll say anyth

"Tell me the truth, Selene. What happened to my birth

e of them," she spat, gesturing toward the Warden. "A creature bound to the Council's will. But I defied th

nse, but before she could press further, the

ried, rushin

rom a deep wound across his chest, and he gritted

as my hands trembled when I pressed them against his

his blade raised. "How touching

pted from me as I raged with fury, forcing the Warden back. The g

e between worlds, the only one who can unite or destroy them. The locket binds your power, but it also makes you their t

hed me. The Council had taken everything from me. my

voice. "Don't listen to her. You de

down at Rowan, then up at Selene.

the locket's light formed a protective barrier around Rowan and I. Th

ey?" I said. "C

eashed everything. The place erupted in light and

gone, and Selene stood at the edge of

etly. "But this isn't over." She vanished

nds trembled as I cradled

" I whi

nd a faint smile tugged

he two of us, bound by the chaos that surrounded