The moment the Blood Moon’s shadow cut across the clearing, the bond snapped.

It wasn’t clean. It ripped through me like tearing muscle from bone — jagged, brutal. The tether between Hardin and me writhed for a breath longer, fighting to hold, then disintegrated into nothing.

My knees almost gave. My wolf howled inside my skull, but not for him — it was my own rage and relief collapsing over each other. The ritual fire roared higher, as if it was feeding on my choice.

Xavier pushed ...