KAEL'S POV
The square erupted in chaos.
The first corrupted wolf lunged for me, its jaws wide, black veins crawling along its muzzle. My black wolf surged to the surface, claws tearing into fur and shadow alike. I felt the bones snap under my grip, ichor hissing on the snow as the body crumpled.
The bond flared in my chest—hot, urgent—Ayla's silver fire answering my fury.
Left! she sent through the tether, and I spun just as another thrall lunged from the shadows. Her fire lanced past me, searing the wolf midair. It screamed, the sound wrong and hollow, before it hit the snow in a burst of ash and smoke.
Around us, Northmoon fractured into battle.
Half the pack moved with us, snapping and striking, claws and fangs flashing in the firelight. The other half hesitated, fear souring their scent as their corrupted packmates lunged for their throats.
