Alfred opened his eyes.

No wind.

No sound.

No breath of life anywhere.

Only red.

A quiet, endless red.

He stood there and tried to steady his breathing, but even that felt wrong. The air tasted sharp, as if it didn’t want him here. His wolf pressed against his skin, restless, confused, waiting for danger he couldn’t see.

He tried calling out.

“Bella?”

Nothing answered.

Not even an echo.

He forced himself to move. The ground under his feet was solid ...