The first howl split through the kingdom just past midnight.
Aire tensed instantly beneath the blanket.
Nate's eyes opened at once.
For several seconds, neither of them moved.
The dungeon remained dim around them. Torchlight flickered weakly against the wet stone walls while cold pressed through every corner beneath the castle.
Aire had fallen asleep against him at some point.
The howl echoed again through the distance.
Nate straightened slowly against the wall. His wolf surged awake immediately beneath his skin.
Aire lifted her head from his shoulder carefully. Her hair was slightly disheveled now from resting against him. The silver marks around her wrists remained angry and red beneath the torchlight.
Her expression changed the moment she saw Nate's face.
"You heard it," she whispered.
Nate nodded once.
Outside somewhere above them, another howl answered the first. The kingdom wolves were gathering.
Aire's stomach tightened immediately.
