When the Screaming Started

CHAPTER THREE

The first bullet shattered the window.

Gianna screamed as Ryder threw himself over her, driving them both to the floor. Glass exploded across the apartment, scattering over the carpet.

"DOWN!" Ryder roared.

Benjamin grabbed the nearest overturned table and dragged it across the room.

"That was their warning shot!"

Ryder lifted his head.

"Warnings are over."

Outside, floodlights swept across the building. Soldiers shouted commands through loudspeakers, and the mechanical sound of weapons being loaded echoed through the streets.

Gianna struggled beneath Ryder.

"Get off me!"

He lifted himself onto one elbow.

"Are you hurt?"

"No! But I can't breathe!"

He immediately moved away.

"Stay behind me."

She pushed herself upright, brushing glass from her sweater.

"Can everyone stop telling me what to do?"

Ryder looked at her.

Even in the darkness, his eyes glowed.

"Not while people are trying to kill you."

Benjamin moved toward the door.

"We have maybe two minutes before they breach the building."

Ryder glanced at him.

"How many?"

"At least twenty soldiers. Two armored vehicles. And something else."

"What?"

Benjamin pointed toward the street.

A large black vehicle had stopped behind the military trucks.

Its doors opened.

Four men stepped out.

They weren't wearing military uniforms.

They wore black tactical clothing, and each had a silver symbol stitched onto their shoulders.

Gianna recognized the symbol immediately.

A crescent moon surrounded by three curved lines.

The same symbol from her mother's photograph.

"What is that?" she whispered.

Benjamin's expression darkened.

"Collectors."

"Collectors?"

"They work for the organization that created Project First Blood."

Ryder's wolf growled.

"How many times have I told you to stay away from those people?"

Benjamin turned sharply.

"Maybe if your family hadn't abandoned the agreement, I wouldn't have had to work with them."

Ryder stepped forward.

"Watch your mouth."

"Or what? You'll kill me?"

"Enough!" Gianna shouted.

Both men turned.

She looked at Benjamin.

"Who are these people?"

He hesitated.

"People who have been searching for you since you were born."

"Why?"

"Because they believe your blood can be used to control the transformation."

Gianna stared.

"Control what transformation?"

Benjamin looked toward the street.

"Every person who has turned tonight."

A loud explosion shook the building.

Dust fell from the ceiling.

Ryder grabbed Gianna's hand.

"We're leaving."

 

8:26 p.m.

The stairwell was filled with smoke.

Ryder led the way, moving quickly but carefully. Benjamin followed behind Gianna, carrying a backpack he had apparently prepared earlier.

She noticed.

Of course she noticed.

"Why do you have a survival bag?"

Benjamin glanced at her.

"Because I'm prepared."

"Prepared for what?"

"Tonight."

She stopped on the stairs.

"Tonight?"

Ryder turned.

"Keep moving."

Gianna ignored him.

"Benjamin, how long have you known this was going to happen?"

He looked at her.

"Three years."

Her stomach twisted.

"Three years?"

"I didn't know exactly when. I knew it was coming."

"And you didn't think to tell me?"

"I couldn't."

"Couldn't or wouldn't?"

Benjamin's expression crumbled.

"Your mother made me promise."

Gianna laughed bitterly.

"My mother has been dead for six years! You could have told me afterward!"

"I know."

"Then why didn't you?"

He looked away.

"Because I was afraid you'd leave."

That stopped her.

Benjamin's voice became quieter.

"You were the only person I had, Gi. I knew that once I told you everything, nothing would ever be the same."

Gianna swallowed.

"Well, you were right."

A gunshot echoed from below.

Ryder immediately shifted his attention.

"Move!"

They continued down the stairs.

When they reached the ground floor, the main entrance burst open.

Three soldiers rushed inside.

"STOP!"

Ryder shoved Gianna behind him.

"Don't move!"

One soldier raised his weapon.

"Alpha designation confirmed! Female subject identified!"

Another soldier lifted a small electronic device.

It began beeping.

"Subject is responding to the blood signature."

Gianna looked at the machine.

"What the hell?"

The soldier's expression changed.

"She's active."

He raised his radio.

"Command, we have visual confirmation. The First Blood subject is active."

Ryder's eyes flashed.

"Put that thing down."

The soldier laughed nervously.

"You're going to surrender her, Blackwood."

Ryder froze.

"How do you know my name?"

The soldier lowered his weapon slightly.

"Your father sends his regards."

Ryder's entire body went rigid.

Benjamin whispered something under his breath.

Then the soldier smiled.

"Actually, he asked us to bring his daughter home."

Gianna felt the floor disappear beneath her.

"His daughter?"

The soldier looked directly at her.

"Yes, Miss Hale. Your father has been waiting a very long time."

Ryder moved.

It happened so quickly that Gianna barely saw it.

One second he was standing in front of her.

The next, he had the soldier pinned against the wall by his throat.

"Say that again."

The soldier struggled.

"Blackwood—"

Ryder's claws extended.

"Who is her father?"

The soldier smiled through the pressure.

"You already know."

Then he bit down.

A small metallic object flashed between his teeth.

Ryder jerked backward.

The man's body convulsed.

His eyes rolled back in his head.

And within seconds, he was dead.

Benjamin stared.

"Suicide capsule."

Ryder dropped the body.

"Move."

 

8:39 p.m.

They escaped through a maintenance corridor that led into an underground parking garage.

The moment Gianna stepped outside, she felt it.

Something was wrong.

The air smelled different.

Thicker.

Almost metallic.

She looked toward the sky.

The moon had grown larger.

Its red light illuminated the entire city.

"What time is it?" she asked.

Benjamin checked his watch.

"Eight thirty-nine."

"Why does the moon look like that?"

Ryder followed her gaze.

His expression hardened.

"The Blood Moon is reaching its peak."

"What's supposed to happen?"

He didn't answer.

Benjamin did.

"The first wave of transformations."

Gianna turned.

"I thought people were already turning."

"They are. But most of them are incomplete."

"What does that mean?"

Benjamin hesitated.

"The first change awakens the wolf. The second determines whether the person survives it."

Gianna stared at him.

"And what happens if they don't?"

A distant scream answered her.

Then another.

Then dozens.

Across the city, people began screaming as their bodies twisted and changed.

A man fell from a second-story balcony.

A woman collapsed in the middle of the street.

A child stood frozen beside a burning vehicle while his father transformed in front of him.

Gianna covered her mouth.

"Oh, my God."

Ryder grabbed her shoulders.

"Don't look."

She pushed his hands away.

"Those are people!"

"I know."

"You're just going to leave them?"

"There's nothing we can do for everyone."

"Then do something for someone!"

Ryder stared at her.

Something changed in his expression.

He looked almost surprised.

Then he nodded toward Benjamin.

"Take her to the vehicle."

Benjamin frowned.

"What are you doing?"

"Helping them."

Before either could respond, Ryder ran toward the screaming.

His body shifted as he moved.

A massive black wolf disappeared into the smoke.

Gianna watched him go.

"He's going to get himself killed."

Benjamin opened the back door of an abandoned SUV.

"He's an Alpha. He'll be fine."

"You keep saying that!"

Benjamin looked at her.

"Because it's true."

"How would you know?"

He hesitated.

Then he opened the passenger door.

"Get inside."

She climbed in, but she didn't stop watching Ryder.

 

8:47 p.m.

Ryder found the family trapped inside a damaged vehicle.

The father was already changing.

His wife was screaming while trying to pull their young daughter through the broken passenger window.

Ryder approached slowly.

The man turned.

His eyes were yellow.

His mouth stretched into a snarl.

"Get away!" the woman screamed.

Ryder lowered his head.

"Listen to me."

The man growled.

"Fight it."

His body convulsed.

Ryder stepped closer.

"You're still in there. I can smell you."

The man's eyes flickered.

For one brief second, recognition returned.

"Help..." he whispered.

Ryder reached for him.

Then the transformation took over.

The man lunged.

Ryder caught him by the throat and threw him away from the woman.

"RUN!"

The woman grabbed her daughter.

They fled.

Ryder turned toward the newly transformed wolf.

It charged.

He met it head-on.

They crashed against the side of the vehicle.

The wolf bit into Ryder's shoulder.

Pain exploded through him.

His wolf roared.

Kill him.

Ryder slammed the creature into the pavement.

He could smell its fear.

Its confusion.

Its humanity.

He hesitated.

That hesitation nearly cost him his life.

The creature's claws ripped across his chest.

Ryder growled and forced it away.

Then he did what he had to do.

One powerful strike.

The creature stopped moving.

Ryder stood over the body.

His breathing was heavy.

He hated this.

Every person he killed had once been someone.

A father.

A daughter.

A husband.

A friend.

And tonight, there would be thousands more.

He looked toward the sky.

The moon pulsed.

His wolf lowered its head.

She is changing.

Ryder immediately turned toward the parking garage.

 

9:03 p.m.

Gianna sat inside the SUV, staring at her hands.

They were shaking.

She couldn't stop hearing the voices.

People screaming.

People begging.

People dying.

Then she heard something else.

A heartbeat.

Not Benjamin's.

Not her own.

Something deeper.

Something powerful.

She pressed her hand against her chest.

"Ben?"

He turned from the driver's seat.

"What?"

"Can you hear that?"

He frowned.

"Hear what?"

She looked toward the window.

"There's someone outside."

Benjamin reached for his weapon.

"Where?"

"Across the street."

He looked.

Nothing.

"Gianna, there's nobody there."

"Yes, there is."

She could hear it.

A heartbeat.

Slow.

Steady.

Almost impossibly loud.

Then another.

And another.

She closed her eyes.

Suddenly, she could hear everything.

The rats beneath the pavement.

The insects crawling through the grass.

The soldiers communicating through their radios several blocks away.

The distant cries of people running through the streets.

And beneath it all, a voice.

Come home.

Gianna gasped.

Her eyes snapped open.

"Who said that?"

Benjamin turned toward her.

"What's wrong?"

"Someone's talking to me."

His face changed.

"What are they saying?"

She swallowed.

"Come home."

Benjamin's hand tightened around the steering wheel.

"Don't listen."

"Why?"

"Because whatever is calling you isn't human."

She stared at him.

"How do you know?"

He didn't answer.

Then a shadow appeared outside the passenger window.

Gianna screamed.

A woman stood beside the vehicle.

She looked approximately thirty years old, with long blonde hair and blood running down her neck.

Her eyes were glowing silver.

She placed one hand against the glass.

Gianna stared.

The woman smiled.

Then her lips moved.

Queen.

Benjamin grabbed Gianna's arm.

"Don't look at her!"

The woman tilted her head.

Her mouth opened.

And a voice entered Gianna's mind.

We have waited for you.

The window shattered.

Benjamin pulled Gianna backward as the woman reached inside.

Her fingers were unnaturally long.

"GET DOWN!"

Benjamin fired.

The woman fell away from the vehicle.

But she didn't stay down.

She rose slowly.

Her neck twisted back into place.

Then she began laughing.

Gianna stared in horror.

"WHAT IS SHE?"

Benjamin reloaded.

"Something that should have stayed dead."

The woman charged.

Before she reached the vehicle, a massive black wolf slammed into her.

Ryder.

He tore her away from the SUV and threw her across the pavement.

Then he shifted back.

His chest was bleeding.

His eyes were glowing gold.

"Get out!"

Benjamin opened the door.

Gianna stumbled outside.

Ryder grabbed her face gently.

"Are you hurt?"

She shook her head.

He looked at her neck.

The mark was glowing brighter.

His expression darkened.

"She's calling to you."

Gianna looked at the woman.

"Who is she?"

Ryder's jaw tightened.

"A servant of Malachi."

Benjamin stepped forward.

"We need to leave. Now."

Ryder nodded.

He opened the driver's door.

But before anyone could move, the woman stood again.

Her head tilted.

Her silver eyes locked onto Gianna.

Then she spoke.

"Little queen."

Gianna froze.

"Come with me."

Ryder stepped in front of her.

"Stay away from her."

The woman's smile widened.

"Your father has already chosen."

Ryder's expression changed.

"What did you say?"

The woman looked at Gianna.

"Your father wants you beneath the mountain."

Gianna's blood ran cold.

Her mother's warning echoed in her mind.

Never allow anyone to take you beneath the mountain.

The woman laughed.

"He's waiting, sweetheart."

Then she disappeared into the darkness.

 

9:16 p.m.

They drove for nearly twenty minutes before Ryder finally stopped.

The vehicle pulled into a wooded area outside the main city.

A series of headlights appeared between the trees.

Several people emerged from the darkness.

Some carried weapons.

Others had blood on their clothing.

But unlike the creatures they had encountered, these people looked human.

Ryder stepped out.

The group immediately lowered their heads.

"Alpha."

Gianna climbed out after him.

She counted at least fifteen people.

A tall brunette woman approached.

She had a rifle slung across her back and a long scar running down her cheek.

"Ryder."

He nodded.

"Maya."

She looked at his injuries.

"You're bleeding."

"I've had worse."

"That's what you said the last time you nearly died."

He ignored her.

Maya's gaze moved to Gianna.

Her expression changed.

"Oh."

Ryder stepped slightly in front of Gianna.

"This is Gianna."

Maya stared.

"The girl?"

Ryder's eyes narrowed.

"Yes."

Maya looked at the golden mark glowing against Gianna's neck.

Then she lowered her head.

"Your Majesty."

Gianna blinked.

"Please don't."

Maya straightened.

"Sorry. Old habits."

"Why did you call me that?"

Maya looked at Ryder.

He shook his head slightly.

"Not here."

Maya nodded.

"Come inside. We've got a temporary shelter set up."

They followed her through the trees.

The shelter was an old ranger station surrounded by abandoned vehicles and makeshift barricades.

There were people everywhere.

Families.

Children.

Injured survivors.

Some were crying.

Others were sleeping.

A few sat quietly around a fire.

Gianna looked at the scene.

"How many people are here?"

"Thirty-two," Maya answered.

"How many are werewolves?"

"Eleven."

"And the others?"

"Human."

Gianna looked at the children gathered near the fire.

"Are they safe?"

Maya hesitated.

"For tonight."

Gianna turned toward Ryder.

"Then we need to protect them."

Ryder studied her.

"You don't understand how dangerous this is."

"Then explain it to me."

He opened his mouth.

But a young boy suddenly ran toward them.

"Alpha!"

Ryder crouched.

"Easy, little man."

The boy was about eight years old.

His cheeks were streaked with dirt, and he clutched a stuffed wolf.

"Is my mommy coming back?"

Ryder's expression softened.

He glanced at Maya.

She looked away.

Gianna felt her heart break.

The boy looked up.

"She went outside when the screaming started."

Ryder gently placed a hand on his shoulder.

"What's your name?"

"Noah."

"Listen to me, Noah. You're safe here."

"But my mommy—"

"I know."

The boy began crying.

Gianna crouched beside them.

"Hey."

Noah looked at her.

"What's your wolf's name?"

He sniffled.

"Shadow."

"That's a good name."

"He's supposed to protect me."

Gianna smiled sadly.

"Then I think we should keep him close."

Noah nodded.

She reached out and gently squeezed his hand.

As she did, a strange warmth spread through her palm.

The boy stopped crying.

His breathing steadied.

His eyes, which had been beginning to glow faintly yellow, returned to their normal brown.

Ryder noticed immediately.

So did Maya.

They exchanged a look.

Gianna didn't notice.

She was too busy helping Noah settle beside the fire.

 

9:42 p.m.

Ryder stood outside the ranger station.

He needed air.

He needed to think.

Most importantly, he needed to get control of his wolf.

Since meeting Gianna, the animal inside him had become increasingly possessive.

Every time she moved away, it became restless.

Every time another man approached her, it growled.

And when she touched the little boy, something extraordinary had happened.

Her blood had calmed the transformation.

Not suppressed it.

Controlled it.

His father had been right.

The First Queen's blood could command the wolves.

But Ryder had never heard of it healing them.

A quiet voice interrupted his thoughts.

"You're staring at the moon again."

He turned.

Maya stood in the doorway.

"Something wrong?"

"Everything."

She joined him.

"Is it true?"

"What?"

"She's the one?"

Ryder looked away.

"Yes."

Maya exhaled.

"Well, that's complicated."

"Tell me about it."

She crossed her arms.

"Does she know?"

"About the bond?"

"Yes."

"She knows."

"And?"

"She isn't exactly thrilled."

Maya laughed softly.

"Can't imagine why."

Ryder gave her a warning look.

"Don't."

"Sorry."

Silence settled between them.

Then Maya asked the question he had been avoiding.

"Does she know about your father?"

Ryder's expression hardened.

"Yes."

"And what did you tell her?"

"The truth."

Maya looked at him.

"All of it?"

He didn't answer.

"Ryder."

"Not yet."

"She deserves to know."

"I know."

"Then tell her."

He turned toward the forest.

"I will."

Maya studied him.

"There's something else."

"What?"

"Benjamin."

Ryder's eyes narrowed.

"What about him?"

"He came here before you."

Ryder looked at her sharply.

"When?"

"Three weeks ago."

"What?"

"He asked about the old tunnels beneath the mountain."

Ryder's blood went cold.

"What did you tell him?"

"Nothing. I didn't know what he was talking about."

Ryder stared at her.

Benjamin had been investigating the mountain.

The same mountain mentioned in Gianna's mother's letter.

And now Gianna's father was supposedly waiting beneath it.

Ryder's wolf began to growl.

Traitor.

 

10:08 p.m.

Gianna sat alone in one of the ranger station's small bedrooms.

She had washed the blood from her hands.

She had changed into an oversized sweatshirt Maya had given her.

But she couldn't stop shaking.

She looked at the crescent mark on her neck.

It was still glowing.

She touched it gently.

"Why me?"

A soft knock came at the door.

"Come in."

Benjamin entered.

He closed the door behind him.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then he sat on the edge of the bed.

"How are you feeling?"

"Like my entire life has been a lie."

He nodded.

"Fair."

She looked at him.

"Why did my father choose you?"

Benjamin stared at his hands.

"Because my family owed yours a debt."

"What kind of debt?"

"My grandfather was part of the original pack that protected the First Queen."

Gianna frowned.

"But you're human."

Benjamin gave a small, humorless laugh.

"That's what you think."

She stared at him.

"What does that mean?"

He looked toward the door.

Then he rolled up his sleeve.

A strange symbol was tattooed on his forearm.

A silver crescent surrounded by a circle.

Gianna recognized it.

It matched the symbol in the photograph.

"What is that?"

"A blood oath."

"Benjamin..."

He took a breath.

"My family carries a different kind of blood. We're called Keepers. We're not werewolves, but we're connected to them."

"Connected how?"

"We can sense them. Track them. Sometimes control them."

Gianna leaned backward.

"You're telling me you're some kind of supernatural human?"

"Basically."

"Does anything in my life make sense anymore?"

He smiled faintly.

"Not particularly."

She looked at him for a long moment.

Then her expression became serious.

"Did you know Ryder's father killed my parents?"

Benjamin nodded.

"Yes."

"And you still brought him here?"

"I didn't know Ryder was the one who would find you."

"That doesn't answer my question."

Benjamin swallowed.

"Your father made me promise to keep you alive. Ryder was the only Alpha strong enough to protect you."

"Even though his family killed mine?"

"Yes."

She looked away.

A tear slid down her cheek.

Benjamin reached for her hand.

"Gi..."

She pulled away.

"Don't."

He froze.

"I'm sorry."

"I trusted you."

"I know."

"You were my best friend."

"I still am."

She looked at him.

"Then why does it feel like I don't know you?"

Benjamin had no answer.

Finally, he stood.

"I'll give you some space."

He reached the door.

"Benjamin?"

He turned.

She looked at him through tear-filled eyes.

"Is there anything else you're hiding?"

He hesitated.

Just a fraction of a second.

But she noticed.

"Ben?"

He swallowed.

"No."

Then he left.

And for the first time in fourteen years, Gianna wasn't sure she believed him.

 

October 31 — 11:53 p.m.

The ranger station was quiet.

Most of the survivors were sleeping.

Gianna lay awake, staring at the ceiling.

Her body felt strange.

Too warm.

Her hearing was sharper.

Her heartbeat was slower.

And she could feel Ryder.

Somewhere outside, he was pacing.

She knew because she could sense his emotions.

Frustration.

Anger.

Fear.

And an overwhelming need to be near her.

She sat up.

"This is ridiculous."

She slipped out of bed and walked into the hallway.

Ryder stood near the front entrance, speaking quietly with Maya.

When he saw Gianna, he immediately straightened.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Then why are you awake?"

She crossed her arms.

"Do you interrogate everyone?"

"Only people who matter."

She rolled her eyes.

Maya smiled.

"I'll leave you two alone."

"Wait," Gianna said.

Maya stopped.

"Yes?"

"Why does everyone keep calling me queen?"

Maya glanced at Ryder.

Then back at Gianna.

"Because that's what your bloodline represents."

"I'm not a queen."

"Not yet."

Gianna looked at Ryder.

He said nothing.

Maya continued.

"Your ancestor was the first female Alpha. She united the original packs and ended a war that nearly destroyed our species. Her blood disappeared after her death."

"And now it's in me?"

"Yes."

Gianna looked down at her hands.

"Can I control it?"

Maya shook her head.

"Not yet."

"What happens if I can't?"

Ryder answered.

"Then someone will try to control you instead."

Gianna looked at him.

"And what about you?"

His expression became unreadable.

"What about me?"

"Are you going to try to control me?"

Ryder stepped closer.

"No."

"How do I know?"

He held her gaze.

"Because I know what it feels like to have everything taken from you."

For a moment, she saw something beneath his arrogance.

Grief.

Loneliness.

A lifetime of responsibility.

She looked away.

"Why did you say you could smell that I was yours?"

His jaw tightened.

"Because the bond recognizes its mate."

"And what does that mean?"

"It means my wolf recognizes you as the person he's meant to protect."

Gianna frowned.

"That's not exactly romantic."

A faint smile touched his mouth.

"I wasn't trying to be romantic."

"Good."

He stepped closer.

"You're my mate, Gianna."

She swallowed.

"Stop saying that."

"Why?"

"Because I don't want to be."

His smile disappeared.

For a moment, something dangerous moved through his expression.

Then he nodded.

"Then I won't force you."

She looked surprised.

"You won't?"

"No."

"Even if your wolf wants to?"

His voice lowered.

"Especially then."

They stood silently.

Then Ryder reached toward her face.

He stopped before touching her.

"May I?"

Gianna looked at his hand.

Then at him.

After a moment, she nodded.

He gently brushed a strand of hair away from her cheek.

The connection between them surged.

Gianna felt his emotions.

His pain.

His longing.

His fear of losing her.

And something else.

Something so intense it made her knees weak.

Ryder immediately pulled his hand away.

"Sorry."

She looked at him.

"Why?"

His eyes darkened.

"Because if I let my wolf take over, I don't know what he'll do."

Gianna's heart began racing.

Before she could respond, Ryder suddenly turned toward the forest.

His expression changed.

"What is it?" she whispered.

He sniffed the air.

Then his eyes widened.

"Everyone up!"

Maya rushed out of the hallway.

"What happened?"

Ryder looked toward the trees.

His voice became a growl.

"Something's coming."

A howl echoed through the forest.

Then another.

Then dozens.

The survivors began waking.

Weapons were grabbed.

Children were pulled from their beds.

Benjamin rushed into the main room.

"How many?"

Ryder closed his eyes.

He listened.

Then he looked at Gianna.

His expression was grim.

"Too many."

A terrible sound rolled through the forest.

The trees began shaking.

And then the first creature stepped into the clearing.

It was enormous.

Its fur was white as snow.

Its eyes were silver.

And on its chest was the same crescent-shaped symbol that glowed on Gianna's skin.

Behind it stood dozens of others.

A woman stepped forward from the darkness.

She wore a long black dress.

Her silver hair hung down her back.

Gianna recognized her immediately.

The woman from the photograph.

The woman from her dreams.

The woman who had been calling her.

The stranger smiled.

"Hello, little queen."

Ryder shifted into his wolf form.

Benjamin raised his weapon.

Maya shouted for everyone to take cover.

But the woman didn't look at them.

She looked only at Gianna.

Then she bowed.

"Your father sends his love."

Gianna stepped forward.

"Where is he?"

The woman smiled wider.

"Beneath the mountain."

Ryder growled.

"She isn't going anywhere."

The woman tilted her head.

"Oh, Alpha Blackwood."

Her eyes moved toward him.

"You still don't understand."

She lifted one hand.

The creatures behind her began to move.

"Your father isn't the one who wants her."

The ground trembled.

A deep cracking sound traveled beneath their feet.

Then a voice rose from somewhere below the earth.

MY DAUGHTER.

Gianna froze.

The woman lowered her head.

"He's calling."

Ryder moved in front of Gianna.

But the moment he did, the woman's expression changed.

She smiled cruelly.

"How unfortunate."

She raised her hand again.

And every werewolf in the clearing dropped to their knees.

Every single one.

Including Ryder.

Gianna gasped.

Ryder struggled against the invisible force.

His claws dug into the earth.

"Gianna..."

She stepped toward him.

"Ryder!"

He looked up.

His golden eyes were filled with pain.

"Don't let her touch you."

The woman approached Gianna.

"Come, child."

Gianna backed away.

"No."

The woman sighed.

"Then I suppose we'll have to do this the difficult way."

She lifted her hand.

Gianna felt something tear open inside her chest.

Her birthmark erupted with golden light.

The entire forest illuminated.

Every wolf began howling.

And then Gianna heard the voice again.

Not the woman's.

Not her father's.

Something inside her.

Rise, my daughter.

Gianna's eyes turned completely gold.

Her bones began to shift.

Her skin burned.

Her scream transformed into something that shook the trees.

And when the light finally faded, a massive white wolf stood where Gianna had been.

Her fur shimmered like moonlight.

A golden crown-shaped marking stretched across her forehead.

Every creature in the clearing lowered its head.

Even the silver-haired woman.

She dropped to her knees.

"Your Majesty."

Ryder lifted his head.

His wolf stared at Gianna.

For the first time, the most powerful Alpha in the region bowed.

But Gianna wasn't looking at him.

She was staring toward the mountain.

Because she could hear something.

A heartbeat.

An enormous heartbeat.

And it was calling her.

Come home, daughter.

Then another voice whispered.

This one was familiar.

Her father's.

Gianna, if you can hear me, don't trust Ryder.

The white wolf growled.

The mountain split.

And from somewhere beneath the earth, something began to wake.