Kael POV

The den was too quiet.

Lira had taken Ardyn down to the lower cavern to rest after the second round of training, but her scent still clung to the air storm-sweet, sharp with exhaustion, threaded with the metallic bite of magic. It made my wolf restless, pacing in my chest.

I’d seen power before. I’d fought Alphas who could crack the earth with a roar, tear stone apart with their claws. But nothing compared to what I’d seen in her tonight.

The flames licking her skin.

The ...