The battlefield was smoke and blood. Wolves lay broken, rogues howled, and Ronan towered above all, his shadow spreading like wings across the snow.
Aradia stood at the center, her fire flickering, her heart torn. Kael was on his knees, his massive wolf staggering, blood dripping from his mouth.
"You cannot win," Ronan thundered, his voice shaking the air. "Every flame you cast feeds me. Every battle you fight dooms him."
Aradia's fire trembled, her tears hot against her cheeks. She could not lose Kael. Not again.
"Then take me," she whispered, her voice shaking.
The shadow stilled. Even Ronan faltered.
"I will not watch him fall. I will not burn him again. If you want fire, take it. Take me."
Kael roared, his human form breaking through, his arms wrapping around her from behind. His lips pressed against her ear, his voice a desperate growl.
"No, Aradia. Don't give yourself. Not again. You are mine. Mine."
Her fire blazed higher, spiraling, her body trembling between surrender and defiance.
And then Kael kissed her. Fierce. Desperate. Eternal.
The fire bent. Not to Ronan. Not to shadow. To him.
A crown of golden flame rose around them, burning the battlefield, forcing Ronan back.
The witch was not shadow's. She was Alpha's.