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
Lucian shrank. “It is what it feels like.”Marek kept whispering low into my hair. “You are here. You are solid. You are safe.”I clung to him because he was the only thing holding me to this world.My magic rattled inside me like a caged animal.“It is getting worse,” I whispered.“I know,” Marek s
**EVALINE’S POV**By the time Marek returned inside, frost still shimmering in the sky outside, Elara had already declared a new emergency meeting.Not a normal meeting.Not a normal emergency.An emergency specifically labeled “Realm Travel Phase Two,” which she yelled loud enough that half the pac
**KAELEN’S POV**Cold stone pressed against my cheek. A deep, bone shaking rumble rolled through the tower walls. Dust drifted from the ceiling like falling ash.I opened my eyes.For a moment, I could not remember where I was. Only that the High Realm tasted wrong. Too thin. Too weak. Too cold.The
That line broke me open faster than the portal ever could.“I am scared,” I said.“Then let me hold you through it.”“I do not want to lose anyone.”“You will not lose me.”“You cannot promise that.”“Yes. I can.”Lucian peeked up from behind the couch. “Wow. He is really in it now.”Elara kicked hi







