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
The box leapt off the table.Not rolled. Not tipped. Leapt. Like a tiny enchanted creature trying to escape captivity. The wolves screamed. Lucian dove behind a chair again. Elara covered her mouth with both hands, eyes sparkling with excitement.Marek did not move.He watched the shaking present wi
I had no idea the Winter Games were a thing.Apparently they were a big thing. A wolf tradition. A yearly event where the entire pack gathered to celebrate winter by using snow as a weapon, ice as a hazard, and competitive spirit as an excuse for everyone to behave like lunatics.Elara woke me befor
The pulse hit again.Not just beneath my feet. Through them. A shock of cold magic that lanced upward like an electric scream, slicing through my balance and tearing straight into my chest.I staggered.The world spun.Someone shouted my name, muffled and distant, as if I had suddenly fallen underwa
Instantly slipped.Arms flailed.I grabbed the nearest thing I could.Which was Marek.He caught me around the waist with one hand, steady and warm and strong enough to stop me from falling flat on my face.My breath caught in my throat.He leaned close enough that I could feel his breath on my chee







