Chapter 144

**Ronan's POV**

They came like a black tide.

Hundreds of shadow wolves pouring through the doors. Eyes like empty holes. Claws that could tear through steel. Moving faster than anything should move.

I stepped in front of Evangeline. Instinct. Like my body knew what to do even when my mind was screaming.

"Stay behind me," I said.

Fire exploded from my hands. White-hot flames that had burned through their armies before. But there were too many ...