Emerald felt her insides recoil, twisting into a storm of anger and fear. This was only the beginning.
How many more lives would be lost before it ended?
They shifted again, sprinting through the forest until the stronghold loomed ahead. But the moment they arrived, Emerald felt it. Wrong. The air was thick with the metallic tang of blood.
Torches burned brighter than usual, flames shaking in the night breeze. Men gathered in silence, their faces pale and tight.
Emerald slowed, her stomach twisting. "Kieran…"
He strode forward, his wolf energy radiating like a storm. And then they saw.
Bodies.
Three of Kieran's men lay in the dirt, their uniforms torn, blood staining their chests and throats. Their eyes stared blankly at the sky.
Emerald's heart lurched violently.
She whispered, "I thought you said he'd need at least a few days before his next move."
Kieran's jaw clenched, his voice rough. "I underestimated him."
