LUCIAN POINT OF VIEW.

We turned back toward the pack.

When the gates finally came into view, my chest felt hollow. The bond still hummed, faint but present, like an ember refusing to die.

I looked back once, toward the dark line of trees.

Wherever you are, Aria, I thought, hold on.

We’re coming back.

We found Thorne where Cairn had left him, sitting up with effort, pain carved into his face. The moment his eyes landed on Damon and Riven, surprise flashed through him, then sharp ...