The night was too quiet.
No wolves howling. No wind shaking the trees. Even the forest around North Ridge seemed to hold its breath, as if waiting for something unseen.
Aurelia woke before dawn.
Not because of any sound.
Because of the emptiness.
The resonance that usually hummed softly in her veins… was gone.
She sat up slowly on the stone bed lined with white wolf fur. Her heart beat steadily, but her instincts screamed.
Something was wrong.
Lucien woke instantly in the next room. Their bond was not a chain, not restrictive, but strong enough to make him feel even the smallest change in her.
He entered without knocking.
"Did you feel it?"
Aurelia nodded. "The forest… is silent."
Lucien closed his eyes for a moment, trying to listen with his Alpha instincts.
No guards running.
No alarms.
That was what made it more dangerous.
Suddenly rapid footsteps sounded in the corridor. Darius appeared with a tense face, his golden eyes brighter than usual.
