sage. Luna could feel it now-the way the air around them seemed to shift, charged with tension.

uldn't help but notice how he barely made a sound, his footsteps lig

is voice low. "And if I

e?" Luna shot back, her voic

e moonlight caught his features, casting them i

is voice a rough whisper. "Ronan doesn't need me alive, Luna.

She gave a small nod, even though every fiber of her being

armth of his touch startled her, and for a brief moment, she forg

nopy above thickening and blocking out the moonlight. The only sound

rying with it a scent that

lv

g around Elias's hand. He stoppe

he said, his voic

e do?" she

is eyes narrowing. "We can't outrun

ugh the darkness, followed by the unmistakable s

e wolves, their eyes glowing with a menacing amber light. They were larger

with his body. His shoulders squared, and a

rdered, his tone leavi

tinct to fight clawing at her. But she held her gr

ontorting until a man stood in its place. His dark hair was

with mockery. "The infamous Elias Nightshade, p

ocked on the man. "Step aside,

onan's given us clear orders: bring the girl in. Alive, if possible. But y

ng. "If you think I'm going to let you tak

d, and he motioned to the

Luna thought possible, meeting the first wolf mid-air. Their bodies collided with a sickening

ared in her chest as it charged, its jaws snapping. She stumbled

re she even realized what was happening-her muscles stretching, her bon

y, lunging at her again. Luna dodged, her movements fluid and instinctual. She wasn't a

cing it to turn its attention fully to her. Her blood san

wolf, his movements precise and brutal. He glanced at her brief

is wasn't going according to plan. He shifted back int

uld make a move,

arls filling the air. Luna barely had time to react as the s

ng all her strength to throw it off balance. It yelped, stu

oice rang out, sha

d back. Kael shifted back into his human form, his chest

laring at both of them. "You can't

d, his silver eyes

ther wolves, and they retreated into the sha

her breath coming in ragged gasps. Sh

he asked, her

gaze meeting hers. "Now," he said, his v