Mara, a young pack member, stepped forward, voice shaking. “Alpha Dennis, it’s not just feelings. Trees move, animals flee, shadows attack the outer patrols. We saw them. This is dangerous!”
Dennis’s eyes narrowed. “The patrols were careless. Shadows respond to fear and energy. Act with control and caution, and you will be unharmed. If not… you will suffer.”
His calm words barely hid the tension. I could feel the bloodline stirring stronger in me and Gage.
Later, Asher and I went to the forest edge, testing the bond. Gage joined us, eyes sharp, gold glowing faintly.
“The energy is thick.” Gage said, scanning the trees. “Something’s moving, but hiding.”
I focused on the bond, sending warmth through it. It pulsed stronger than ever, yet a strange, dark energy tugged from deeper in the t
