Petal's Pov

The night air pressed against my skin, thick with the scent of damp earth and distant smoke. Every shadow seemed to twitch as though it held secrets, whispers I could almost hear. Even after the scout’s warning and the taunting note pinned to my cloak, the ridge didn’t feel safe. Not really. My wolf bristled under my skin, restless, like a storm trapped beneath my ribs. Aslaan’s presence anchored me, but even his heat couldn’t fully push away the unease curling inside.

He ...