The cold of the night seemed to freeze the very air in the palace courtyard as Valex crossed the threshold, his dark trousers dusted with powdery snow and his bare chest glistening with cold sweat. Wrapped tightly in his arms was the heavy, limp form of Odesse, still bound in her white wolf form. Her silver-sheened coat was stained with blood near her temple, and her eyes remained closed, completely unmoving.
Kael bolted past the palace gates on horseback, the hooves beating a frantic rhythm against the snowy cobblestones as he rode into the dark town to fetch the royal physician.
Inside the grand archway, the palace was deathly quiet until Cara caught sight of the King. Her jaw dropped, her breath catching violently in her chest. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight of the unconscious white wolf cradled against Valex's broad chest.
"Is that... is that Odesse?" Cara gasped, her voice trembling as she immediately fell into step behind him.
