They came two hours after full dark.

Not the careful approach of scouts or the chaotic rush of an attacking force. Something in between. Confident. Deliberate.

Gideon knew this was a trap. He just didn't care.

"Eleven wolves," Darius murmured beside me. His senses sharper than mine even through the bond. "All combat-trained. Moving in formation."

"Elena?"

"Front left. She's second in command for real now."

Through the trees, I caught glimpses of movement. Shadows resolving into wolves as ...