CROWNED BY BLOOD

Metallic and raw, it sliced through the air li

stormed the neutral clearing, their snarls splitting through the murmurs of political chatt

and shifted mid-stride. I stood still, rooted by the familiar, paralyzing sense of b

hant table, eyes wide with terror. A rogue

mo

e was no hesit

halfway hybrid form arms coated in fur,

in a choked hiss as we rolled, locked in vicious combat. My claws found p

e shouted I di

carry me into a crouch, then launched again. My fist connected with his jaw, a satisf

stared up at

oice deeper, laced

obe

in battle with warriors from every pack. Others hunted the weak and untrained, tearing through the

I saw h

ights

h enemies with raw power and precise control. He shielded the vulnerable with

s when I ma

to f

keep Fi

rchant. My strength felt endless, fury fueling every movement. Every claw swipe, e

Kai's massive wolf tackled him mid-air, teeth sinking into the rogue's neck with le

ck-to-back w

ow, I went high. When I faltered, his flank shielded me. When he stumble

n it ha

ad of attacking, he froze mid-step, pupils dilating, limbs shakin

t

pered, crumpli

lin

I.

used. Lost. Their aggression wavered under my

r of the Moon Goddess's authori

was

sharp and thunde

who resisted were cut down by wa

clearing. My breaths came in gasps, my body humm

gnit

e

w

n...que

wa

m my claws. "Anyone else need help

ack, slipping into the crowd before t

foll

em," he said quietly on

rn, blood painted across his ribs,

dmitted.

he smell of ash and ir

r name," he added

the sound of heavy fo

orcem

er Moon

rc

tbreak. I turned toward the commotion just as the Silver Moon patrol b

us S

curled back in a snarl as he scanned the aftermath.

ffed t

ai

rther into

d searching. His eyes darted around, landing on

eyes d

y scent was cloaked, masked with the herbs Celeste brewed. He looked righ

ppeared, draped in her

she asked, her

his stance remained rigid, alert

aggressively, but enough to plac

tec

itor

's gaze

was cool. "Y

something tense pulsin

," he sa

plied. "You mis

ent was electric. Male dominance, pack r

et or Victoria's poisonous glares. My emotions wer

ep beside me, I let

h

ai

ud. Barely a whisp

my head

ill, brows furr

locked

my f

e

ly trait I'd never

" he b

. For a second,

lipped deeper into t

ns of his own choices, whispering

uried for long. Not when rogue attacks keep closing in, and whispers star

d

ng me close

n fe

. He's going to find

oes... everyt