Once Azriel and the guards disappeared into the distance, Markus exhaled heavily, exhaustion creeping in but still overshadowed by the weight of responsibility. He pulled out his phone and called his mate, Kaia.
Markus!” Kaia’s voice crackled through the speaker, panic in her tone. “Oh my goddess, are you alright? What’s happening? Are you good?”
Markus rubbed his temples, his voice steady but strained. “Yes, we’re good, Kaia. We bring victory home. The lycans are defeated.”
There was a pause, followed by Kaia’s deep exhale of relief. “Thank the Moon Goddess,” she whispered, clearly trying to hold back her tears. “But… you don’t sound right. What happened? Who was injured? Or…” Her voice caught, with dread around her words. “…who died?”
Markus took a deep breath.“Except for a few serio
