Like the snarl of a predator, the howling wind tore through the mountain pass, leaving behind ash and snow. As she scurried forward, the hammering of Elaria's boots on the stone barely muffled the frenzied rhythm of her heartbeat echoing inside the small tunnel walls.

Behind her, Draven moved with lethal grace, his breath low and shallow. He wasn’t speaking, not since the moment the rogue’s dying words had fallen like poison into the air:

“The Alpha’s mate…”

It clung to them ...