The clearing felt tense in a way I hadn’t experienced before. The shadows from the last battle had vanished, but the weight of the new presence lingered. The stranger stood just beyond the edge of our protective circle, calm, almost relaxed, as if the energy crackling between us didn’t bother him in the slightest.
Asher stayed close, body tense, energy coiled like a spring ready to snap. I could feel his warning through our bond, a low hum of tension that made my stomach tighten. I didn’t know this man. I had never seen him before. And yet, Asher’s reaction made it clear that this stranger was dangerous—on a different level than any ordinary threat.
I took a careful step toward Asher, glancing at Eryx and the pack. Everyone was watching, ready to act if the man tried anything. “Asher… wh
