The peaks of the Starfall Range rose like jagged teeth against a bruised twilight sky. Emily’s pack—nine now in spirit, if not yet in bond—had run for three days straight, pushing through blizzards and shadowed valleys toward the heart of Caspian’s territory. The High Alpha’s domain sprawled across thousands of square miles, the largest unbroken pack in generations. Legends said no one entered without invitation. Legends also said Caspian had never taken a mate.
Until now.
They crested the final ridge at dusk. Below lay the Citadel: black granite walls rising from a frozen lake, torches flickering like distant stars, thousands of wolves patrolling in perfect formation. Power radiated from the place—ancient, unyielding.
Emily’s pendant burned against her chest. The ninth scent hit her li
