Alpha’s Claimed Mate.
A breeze carried the scent of the highlands—cold stone and moss.
And then—
“Asher.”
I turned sharply.
Akira stood a few feet away, arms wrapped around herself, eyes wide, hollow.
I scrambled to my feet, staggering a little. We met halfway, not touching, just looking.
“You made it,” I said, voice hoarse.
She nodded.
Then shook her head.
“We didn’t get it.”
I blinked.
“The Heart—”
“Gone.” Her voice was tight. “Shattered. It wasn’t meant to leave the mountain. It... tested us. And then it vanished.”