Chapter 6

The giant grey wolf stared at Seraphina with cold, silver eyes. It was Aurora. She had fully shifted into her beast form, and her massive body was tense, ready to spring. A low, rumbling growl vibrated in the wolf’s throat, and thick, warm saliva dripped from its long, white fangs.

Seraphina did not have her silver daggers. She was completely unarmed. Her heart hammered against her ribs like a trapped bird, but she forced her body to remain still. She knew that if she ran, the wolf’s hunting instincts would kick in instantly, and Aurora would tear her to pieces before she could even reach the castle doors.

"Aurora," Seraphina said, keeping her voice as steady and flat as possible. "Don't do this."

The grey wolf only snarled louder, its ears pinning back against its head. With a powerful leap, the massive beast launched itself forward, aiming its deadly jaws straight for Seraphina's throat.

Seraphina’s training kicked in. She didn't freeze. Just as the wolf’s heavy body was about to crash into her, Seraphina dropped to the ground and rolled hard to the right.

The wolf missed, its heavy paws landing with a loud thud on the stone pathway where Seraphina had been standing a second ago. Aurora spun around quickly, her claws scraping loudly against the stone, leaving deep white scratches in the rock. She was furious that she had missed her target.

Seraphina scrambled to her feet, her breath coming in short, rapid gasps. She looked around the dark garden, desperately searching for anything she could use as a weapon. There was nothing but rosebushes, stone benches, and tall oak trees.

The grey wolf lunged again.

This time, Seraphina ran toward a large stone fountain in the center of the garden. She jumped onto the edge of the fountain just as Aurora’s jaws snapped shut, missing her ankle by mere inches. 

The sound of the wolf's teeth crashing together was terrifying.

"Help!" Seraphina wanted to scream, but she knew the guards were still busy clearing the courtyard of dead rogues. Nobody could hear her over the noise of the wind and the distant shouting. She was completely on her own.

Aurora circled the fountain, her silver eyes locked onto Seraphina. She was playing with her prey now. She knew the human had nowhere left to run. The wolf let out a mocking huff of air and leaped onto the edge of the fountain.

Seraphina didn't wait. She gathered all her strength and jumped off the fountain, landing hard on the grass below. The impact sent a sharp pain through her knees, but she ignored it. She pushed herself up and ran toward a thick grove of trees. If she could get between the tight trunks, the massive wolf wouldn't be able to move as fast.

But Aurora was a born predator. She was incredibly fast.

Before Seraphina could reach the first tree, a heavy, hairy force slammed directly into her back. The weight of the giant wolf knocked Seraphina face-first into the dirt. The wind was completely knocked out of her lungs. She gasped for air, her vision going black for a second.

She rolled onto her back just in time to see Aurora standing over her. The wolf's massive paws pinned Seraphina’s shoulders to the damp ground. The heavy scent of wet fur and blood filled Seraphina's nose. The wolf lowered its head, its hot, stinking breath washing over Seraphina’s face.

Seraphina stared up at the sharp fangs. She could see the pure, murderous hatred in the wolf’s silver eyes. This was it. She was going to die here, in the dark, and nobody would ever know the truth.

She closed her eyes, preparing for the pain of the bite.

Suddenly, a deafening, thunderous roar echoed through the garden.

The ground beneath them seemed to shake. The pressure in the air changed instantly, becoming thick and suffocating. It was the aura of an Alpha. A very powerful Alpha.

Aurora’s head snapped up. She whimpered softly, her ears dropping in fear.

"Get off her!" a deep, furious voice boomed.

Seraphina opened her eyes.

Kael stood at the edge of the clearing. He had not shifted into his wolf, but his human form radiated absolute, terrifying power. His chest was bare, covered in dirt and sweat, and his golden eyes were glowing so brightly they looked like two burning coals in the dark. His hands were clenched into tight fi

sts, his veins popping against his skin.