Emory watched as Rodyn walked closer, his black tunic highlighting the strong lines of his face. His neatly combed brown hair gave him a distinguished look, stirring a wave of nostalgia in her. Rodyn had been a steady presence in her life before she left Kedar, someone she could always count on. If she didn’t know better, she would think he was trying to rekindle that old familiarity.

“It’s good to have you back,” Rodyn said, tucking his hands into his pockets. His warm grey eyes softened with concern. “I heard about your” adventures. Are you alright?”

She nodded, offering a small smile. “I’m fine, Rodyn. It’s been a wild ride, but I’m doing just fine. Thank goodness you and the hunters aren’t hurt.”

“We had a healer specifically to make sure we were all fine,” he said with a shrug. “I take it that unusual blue moon yesterday morning was your awakening?” he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

She chuckled softly. “Yes, it was.”

“Consider this my official welcome to the rank of hunters.” He smiled.

“Thank you,” she said, turning back toward her flat and gesturing for him to follow. She looked around the room, taking in the familiar surroundings that she missed.

She sat down, and Rodyn joined her, taking a seat across from her. “How are you feeling?” he asked, his gaze steady and probing.

“I am well, really,” she replied, feeling a bit defensive. “I was just talking about my ability with Kinshra and Trey,” she said. “It’s quite something.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Do tell.”

Emory took a deep breath. “Fire,” she explained. “It’s” volatile.”

“Not at all surprising.” He gestured to her, and when she frowned, he continued. “Fire has always been your element. Where do you think your sharp tongue comes from?”

She rolled her eyes playfully. “I won’t dignify that with a response,” she said with a smile. Then she looked at him seriously. “Why are you really here, Rodyn? Shouldn’t you be with the council?” she asked, trying to keep her tone casual.

“I needed to see you,” he said, with a tone that made her heart skip a beat. “There are things we need to discuss.”

“What things?” she asked, her brows knitting together.

“My source in the king’s tower mentioned something disturbing. Apparently, the regent is dead, and Lady Wulric now wishes to rise in the ranks, not as the new regent but as queen of Morrian.”

She sat up, shifting to the edge of her seat. “A coup?”

He nodded, his expression grim. “The king is mortally wounded and she knows it is the best time to turn the tides.” He leaned forward, lowering his voice. “If she becomes queen, you become a target, Emory. The Lycan council still believes you’re a threat because of the prophecy. They don’t want peace.”

“Did you tell Trey about this?” she wondered, massaging her left palm with her right thumb, a nervous tic that was becoming more frequent.

“Lycan politics are not wolf business, and our council refuses to intervene even though we’re better off with Lord Wulric as king. Lady Wulric will start a war to end all wolves if she usurps power.” He rose and walked over to her. “I met with my source two hours ago. Lord Wulric is currently locked away in Aworyn’s temple, which is his only saving grace because only the king is allowed in there. Once he steps out, the coup begins.”

Her fingers tingled with rage, and her fire threatened to consume her and everything around her. What did it matter to her anyway? It was Lycan business, truly, but she couldn’t not help Rahl if she could. He was” what exactly was he to her anyway?

“Why are you telling me this?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

“You are to be his mate. I thought you would want to know about this.” Rodyn’s eyes narrowed, studying her closely. “Or did you change your mind?”

Her eyes widened just a little. He didn’t know about her bond with Kane yet. That explained a lot. Trey must have kept it private to Kirsten and Kinshra, and she appreciated that. She looked down at her hands, trying to calm her fire.

Goddess, Rahl couldn’t catch a break, could he? She raked her fingers through her hair, frustration boiling over as she stood up to face Rodyn. The room seemed to close in around her, the walls pressing in with the enormity of everything.

“I may need you to get me to Rahl. How quickly do you think you can do that?” she asked.

“What? Are you out of your mind?” Rodyn’s eyes widened in disbelief. “We couldn’t possibly make it into Eclin Tower, let alone into Aworyn’s temple.”

He was right. What was she thinking? Her mind raced, searching for a solution. Her eyes met Rodyn’s, realizing she only needed to be alone and use Kane’s lair to reach Rahl.

“Alright, could you please go to the council meeting and tell Trey about this? Make him listen? Rahl is not the villain here; he only wants peace, and he’s suffering for it,” she pleaded, massaging her head as a dull ache began to form.

“Rahl?” Rodyn’s brow furrowed, confusion flickering in his eyes. “You’re defending him now?”

“Yes,” she said firmly. “He’s not what you think he is. Rahl is a’”

“Since when did you start calling him by his first name?” Rodyn interrupted, his tone suspicious.

“Rodyn, now is not the time for this,” she replied sharply. “But if you must know, I met him back in the forest and we talked. He’s a decent guy.” She shrugged, trying to downplay the significance of their encounter.

“You’re mating with him then?” he asked, curiosity and disbelief in his voice.

“It’s” there’s more to this. A simple yes or no won’t suffice,” she said, her shoulders sagging under the weight of the truth. “Just, please go to Trey and tell him what’s happening.”

Rodyn hesitated, his gaze searching hers for a moment before he nodded. “I’ll do what I can. Be careful, Emory. And do not for whatever reason go off to Eleado” alone. You have that look you get.”

“Thank you,” she whispered. As Rodyn turned to leave, she knew she had to act quickly, and her decision to go to Rahl bore down on her, but she couldn’t stand by and do nothing.

Once Rodyn was gone, Emory took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. This whole thing was making her head spin. She closed her eyes for a moment, centring herself.

“Lair?” she said quietly, hoping it would work. To her relief, the familiar black twirling doorway of Kane’s lair appeared in front of her. She exhaled a heavy sigh of relief. “Thank Aworyn.” She stepped closer to it. “Alright, take me to Rahl Wulric in Aworyn’s temple,” she commanded before stepping into the swirling vortex.

The transition was immediate. One moment she was in her familiar surroundings, the next she was standing in front of a long, large door almost completely shrouded by an ominous fog. The scent of incense stung her nostrils, and she caught the shimmering light peeking from under the door.

Emory looked around, taking in the eerie silence of the long hallway behind her. It was empty and quiet, amplifying the feeling of isolation. She turned back to the doors and pushed, but they wouldn’t budge. Right, the goddess” temple only opened for the Lycan kings. She paused, contemplating her next move. Shouldn’t it also open for an Ultima?

Stepping back, she adjusted her cloak and cleared her throat. “Aworyn, let me in,” she whispered loudly, letting her voice echo through the space. The sound hung in the space as if it was trapped and a twinge of uncertainty crept in, but she shook it off.

The fog swirled around her, almost as if it were alive, reacting to her presence. She closed her eyes for a moment, centring herself and calling upon the inner strength that had gotten her this far. When she opened them again, the fog had parted slightly, revealing more of the detailed carvings on the door.

“Aworyn,” she repeated, her voice louder this time. “I need to see Rahl. Please, let me in.”

As if in response to her plea, the door began to glow softly. A pulse of energy rippled from it, and then, with a soft creak, it started to open. Emory stepped forward, her heart pounding as she crossed the threshold.

The temple beyond was almost completely dark, except for a mysterious light in the centre. The scent of incense was stronger here, mingling with the faint aroma of flowers. The space was vast and filled with a sense of serenity that felt more eerie than soothing. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the stone altar in the centre of the room, where a giant statue of the goddess stood.

Rahl lay on the altar, his body battered and weak, the crest on his chest still pulsing with Seraphine’s dark, sinister energy. As she crept closer, she noticed a group of women covered in hooded red cloaks surrounding him. They were all on their knees, forming a circle around him with their heads bowed to the ground. The closer she got, the louder their chant became, a haunting melody that sent chills down her spine.

His eyes flickered open at the sound of her footsteps, and he turned his head to the side. Those familiar blue eyes held hers from where she stood at the bottom of the stairs leading up to the altar.

“Emory,” he whispered, his voice hoarse. “What are you doing here?”

The priestess kneeling directly in front of Aworyn’s statue lifted her head, and her eyes, the same blue as Rahl’s, locked onto Emory’s. She stopped chanting, and the others did too, raising their heads from the ground.

Emory turned her attention back to Rahl. “I’m here,” she said, rushing to his side. She took his hand, feeling the coldness of his skin. “How are you feeling?”

His grip was weak but firm as he held onto her. “I’ve been better,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Sweet Aworyn, she felt sorry for him. The sight of him so vulnerable and in pain made her ache in a way she didn’t understand.

The priestess approached them, her movements graceful. “Emory? Is she the last hunter?” she asked Rahl, who nodded. “Explains how she got in here.”

Emory looked up at her, wondering why she looked so much like Rahl. Could they be related? It wouldn’t be so unfounded that he had a sibling, but that was not important right now. What she did find striking was her red hair now peeking through the hood. Red straight hair against sapphire blue eyes and porcelain skin; she was stunning.

“What’s happening to him?” Emory asked her. “He looks worse than he did when he left me.”

“You shouldn’t be here,” the priestess said, then looked around. “How did you even get into the king’s court, past all those guards? If they find you, you will be in serious trouble, Emory. Wolves are not allowed into the King’s Court.”

Now Emory rose to face her directly. “That is honestly unimportant right now. He’s in pain, fix him.”

“Emory,” Rahl called, sitting up with great effort. “This is Sabine, my little sister. Sabine, meet Emory Chav’re.”

The ladies looked at each other for a while before nodding in acknowledgment.

“Aworyn isn’t responding, and I’m beginning to get pissed!” Sabine said. “We may have to get him back to his tower so he can rest until we figure this out.”

“No!” Emory opposed. “He cannot leave.”

Sabine glanced at Rahl, then back to Emory, her gaze narrowing in suspicion. “Why?”

“Does this have anything to do with why you’re here? Something’s happening out there? Is it Seraphine?” Rahl asked, lying back down. Then he coughed painfully, and she lowered back down to him.

She couldn’t possibly tell him his own mother was planning a coup and once he stepped out of Aworyn’s temple, he could be killed. But as much as she trusted Rodyn, there still was a chance that it wasn’t completely true. As she stroked his face, she wondered what she was doing here if she thought for a moment that Rodyn’s information was false.

Did she care for Rahl more than she realized? The sight of his bare torso with Seraphine’s insignia pulled her attention to it. It was a gaping wound, a swirling circle infused with dark magic. Emory watched as the circle slowly started to heal. Rahl grunted in response, lying back down in what she could only imagine was inconceivable pain, and Emory pulled away from him.

“You.” Sabine came to kneel right beside her. After looking from her to Rahl, she took Emory’s hand and placed it on his chest. “I think you’re the missing piece. It’s a binding spell. Him to you.”

“That bitch!” Emory murmured and rage surged through her. She slipped her hand from Sabine’s to hold her hair up with a huff.