AYLA'S POV
The hollow waited like an open mouth.
Snow drifted lazily from the pines, gathering around the swaying lantern that cast pale circles of light across the untouched white. In the center lay the silver collar, its runes catching the moonlight, humming faintly with a magic that scraped the edge of my senses.
My wolf paced under my skin, fur bristled. Every instinct screamed danger, but another pull threaded through me—a subtle, treacherous tug that whispered, Come closer.
Kael's black wolf loomed beside me, golden eyes burning in the moonlight. "It's calling to you," he growled through the bond, low and feral. "And I hate that I can feel it too."
I swallowed hard. "It's not just silver," I said aloud, the cold air curling around my words. "Cassia's carved the runes to mirror the bond. If I touch it…"
