Night fell, and the battle thundered.
Wolves clashed with rogues, claws and teeth ripping through shadow. The air stank of blood and smoke, snow melted beneath rivers of red.
Kael tore through the front lines, his massive wolf unstoppable, his green eyes blazing like fire. He was storm, fury, Alpha unbroken.
Aradia fought beside him, her flames splitting the battlefield into gold and ash. Every strike burned enemies into nothingness, every burst carving a path through darkness.
But the shadow fed.
Ronan descended, his runes blazing, his claws dripping black ichor. He struck Kael with fury, his blows shaking the mountain.
Kael staggered, blood pouring, his green eyes dimming.
Aradia screamed, her fire blazing white-hot, but she was too far. She saw him fall—his massive wolf crashing to the ground, blood staining snow.
"No!" she screamed, her flames exploding outward, searing enemies, burning trees to ash.
She fell to her knees beside him, her hands trembling, pressing against his wounds. "Don't leave me, Kael. Please. Not again."
His lips moved weakly, his breath shallow. "Always… Aradia…"
Her fire trembled. Her heart shattered.
And Ronan laughed.