Rhea's back pressed against the rough bark of a tree, her chest rising in ragged pulls. Her wound throbbed, warm blood soaking her sleeve, every breath sharp as glass. The night air burned with smoke and iron, the stench of blood curling in her nose.

Jace stood before her, so close his shadow swallowed hers. His body was a barrier of muscle and fury, his claws still dripping red.

"Stay behind me," he growled, voice low and guttural, more beast than man.

She should have been terrified of him, this rogue who had killed without pause. Instead, her fear twisted into something else-something hotter, sharper. The bond burned through her veins, a wild fire she couldn't fight. Her body trembled, not only from pain, but from the way he looked at her... like she was his.

His hand brushed her wrist, steadying her trembling fingers. The heat of his touch shot through her, flooding her chest.

"You're shaking," he said, softer now.

Her lips parted, the truth slipping out before she could stop it. "Because of you."

For a moment his gaze softened, molten and raw, desire burning just beneath his rage. He leaned closer, breath mingling with hers, and her heart raced so fast she thought it might break her ribs.

But the sound of boots crashing against dirt shattered the moment.

Torches went through the trees, one after another, until the clearing bled orange light. Shadows danced along the bark. A line of hunters stepped into view, blades glinting, eyes hard. At least a dozen, maybe more.

Jace moved in front of her, muscles coiled, claws flexing as though ready to tear the earth apart. His low growl rumbled through her chest, vibrating with raw promise.

The leader moved forward, tall and had broad shoulders with a cruel grin stretched across his face. "The rogue and the Luna. Together. The Alpha will be pleased."

Her stomach sank. The words were enough to make her blood run cold.

Dorian.

Even unspoken, his name hung heavy in the air.

Jace bared his teeth. "Tell Dorian he'll get my corpse before he gets her."

The hunters laughed, harsh and sharp, the sound cutting like blades. They fanned out, circling them, torches painting the night with fire.

Rhea's chest tightened. Her body was weak, her legs trembling, her wound leaking strength with every drop. She couldn't fight. She couldn't even stand tall. Yet the bond screamed inside her, demanding she rise, demanding she stand by him.

But she couldn't. Not yet.

Jace's head tilted back, his eyes cutting to hers for only a second. It was enough. Fierce as he looked, the bond whispered the truth to her heart. He would die for her.

She choked on her breath. "Jace... don't."

The leader's hand rose. The hunters charged.

Steel cut through the air.

Jace met them with a roar that shook the night. His claws slashed into the first man, tearing through flesh. He twisted, grabbed another by the throat, and snapped his neck with a crack that echoed.

Rhea staggered back against the tree, her heart hammering, her legs shaking too hard to move. She could only watch as Jace fought for them both. He was savage, relentless, his growls tearing through the clash of steel and screams.

But the hunters didn't stop.

A blade slipped past his guard, slashing across his side. He stumbled, blood spilling. Rhea gasped, a broken sound tearing from her lips.

Jace roared and spun, his claws ripping the man down in fury.

Her chest cracked. She wanted to move, to fight, to save him. But her body wouldn't obey. Her breath came fast, shallow. She pressed her palm against her wound, the blood hot under her hand.

Mira's voice echoed in her head... The bond is real. It's waking something inside you.

Her lips moved soundlessly. Moon Goddess, help me...

A warmth spread through her chest, faint at first. Her fingertips beamed, silver and soft. The air changed, pulsing with power.

But before she could get a hold of it, a shadow loomed.

One of the hunters broke past Jace, rushing straight for her. His blade gleamed in the firelight, aimed directly for her throat.

Rhea froze, fear swallowing her whole.

"Rhea!" Jace's roar split the night.

He lunged toward her, but the hunter was too close. The blade cut down in a flash.

The glow burst from her chest, silver light exploding outward. It smacked into the hunter like a storm. He was thrown back off his feet, crashing against a tree with a sickening crack. His blade clattered to the ground, useless.

The clearing went still.

The hunters paused. Torches flickered. Even Jace was still, his chest pounding heavily, blood dripping from his claws. His eyes locked on her, wide with shock while breathing heavily.

Rhea staggered, gasping for air. Her hands trembled, faint silver light still clinging to her skin. Her chest burned, but the power flickered and dimmed, vanishing as quickly as it came.

"What..." she whispered. "What was that?"

The leader's eyes gleamed, hungry. "The Luna's power."

Rhea's pulse spiked. She didn't understand. She wasn't born a wolf. She had no power. She wasn't meant to.

The hunters closed in again, rage replacing fear.

Jace stepped in front of her, bloodied but unbroken. His growl cut through the air, raw and dangerous. "Touch her and die."

The leader raised his hand again.

Before the hunters could strike, a howl ripped through the night. Deep, commanding, filled with rage.

Every wolf in Silverclaw knew that sound.

Dorian.

The hunters froze, heads snapping toward the trees. Even the torches seemed to tremble under the force of that howl.

Rhea's blood turned to ice. The man she feared most, the Alpha who owned her in name, was coming.

And he would find her with the rogue.

Jace's jaw clenched, his claws sinking into the dirt. "He's here."

Her breath stalled, heart thrashing against her ribs. The glow flickered in her chest again, hotter, wilder, like fire begging to be freed.

Footsteps thundered closer, heavy and sure. More torches lit the woods, spreading through the dark like wildfire.

Then came his voice. Sharp. Cruel. Cold enough to slice bone.

"Bring me my Luna... and kill the rogue."

Rhea's knees buckled, her hand clutching Jace's arm. His grip closed over hers, strong and unyielding.

"Stay with me," he said, his voice low, raw with promise.

Her pulse hammered, caught between terror and need. She didn't know if she wanted to cling to him... or run.

The night split with the crash of branches as Dorian's men poured into the clearing, blades flashing, eyes hungry for blood.

And Rhea knew there was no escape without blood being spilled.