LOGINThe portal burst open in a swirl of silver and gold, light scattering across the snow in shimmering waves. Wolves skidded to a halt mid snowball war. Pups froze with handfuls of snow. Even Marek paused with a snowball raised above his head.The king stepped through.And immediately tripped over a sl
I strung lights across the top of the house, weaving them around the chimney and down the far side. Magic flickered from my fingertips, helping the strands cling perfectly in place. Every spark of golden light that escaped curled like a lazy ribbon in the air.Someone below cleared their throat loud
Snow blanketed the entire pack territory in soft, perfect drifts. It made everything look gentle, like the world had been iced with sugar. The trees bowed under the weight of white powder, branches sparkling in the afternoon light. Smoke curled from chimneys. Laughter drifted through the cold air. M
The king watched silently. Marek nodded slowly beside me, jaw tight with agreement.Kaelan looked between us, breath shaking. His voice dropped to a whisper. “You do not understand. I… I spent so long believing I would never amount to anything. I believed I was only useful as your protector. Your sh
The snow had nearly stopped falling by the time the king summoned us. Only a few flakes drifted lazily through the gray morning sky. Wolves formed a loose circle around the clearing, whispering quietly among themselves, tension flowing through them like an undercurrent.The portal behind the king cr
His breath shuddered.I leaned closer, forehead resting against his.“I could not do it.”Marek closed his eyes, attempting to hold himself together, but his hands trembled at his sides.“I love you,” I whispered. “I love this pack. I love this world. I love who I am here.”He opened his eyes, and e
There are many things wolves are prepared for.Territorial disputes. Rogue attacks. Alpha-level training. Unexpected visitors. Sudden blizzards. Even the occasional exploding Christmas decoration.They were not prepared for a magical spark growing legs.Tiny legs.Frost legs.The moment it sprouted
The spark crackled in the air like a tiny star having a temper tantrum.It hovered above the frost symbols, shimmering white gold with little flickers of blue shooting off its edges. Each pulse felt like a heartbeat. A very impatient, very unstable heartbeat.I stared at it.It stared back.I was fa
“You poked a magical portal spark,” she repeated.“For scientific study,” he protested.“It vaporized your stick,” I said flatly.Lucian threw his hands up. “I do not see how this is my fault.”Wolves were now whispering panic.“It is going to explode.”“It will open a realm.”“It might summon monst
He missed.Marek tried to block its path.He missed. Barely.The spark zigzagged toward the stairs again and zipped upward faster than any mortal creature had the right to move.I shouted behind it, “You do not even belong here. Get back.”The spark ignored me.It reached my door.Paused.Turned its







