The castle courtyard fell silent.
“…Alpha Damon has already crossed the Frostfang Mountains.” The scout’s words hung heavily in the air.
Kael’s golden eyes narrowed.
“How many warriors?” “About thirty, Your Majesty.” “Thirty?” Rowan frowned.
“That’s not enough to march against an army.” The scout shook his head.
“They weren’t marching.” “They were searching.” Aria looked at Kael.
“Searching for my father?” Kael’s jaw tightened.
“Or searching for you.” Miles away…
Snow crunched beneath heavy boots.
The icy winds of the Frostfang Mountains howled through the narrow mountain pass.
Damon pulled his cloak tighter around his shoulders.
His Beta, Ethan, walked beside him.
“We should turn back.” “No.” “We don’t even know if the information is true.” Damon looked toward the towering white peaks.
“It is.” “How can you be so sure?” Damon touched his chest.
“The mate bond may be broken…” “But my wolf still feels her.” He closed his eyes.
“She’s alive.” “And she’s heading this way.” Ethan sighed.
“I don’t understand you anymore.” “You rejected her.” “Now you’re risking your life to find her.” Damon didn’t answer.
Because he couldn’t.
Not without revealing the secret he had carried alone.
Inside a cave hidden high in the mountains…
A pair of glowing yellow eyes opened.
Then another.
Then dozens more.
Massive white wolves slowly emerged from the darkness.
Their leader stepped forward.
His fur was as white as the surrounding snow.
A jagged scar crossed one eye.
He sniffed the air.
“Intruders.” The wolves behind him growled.
“They’re heading toward the Sacred Pass.” The leader’s voice was calm.
“Then they must prove whether they are worthy…” “…or die.” Back at the Lycan Castle…
Kael stood before the gathered warriors.
“There will be no large army.” The courtyard erupted with whispers.
One commander stepped forward.
“But, Your Majesty—” Kael raised a hand.
“If Malakar learns where we’re going…” “He’ll send every Shadowborn he commands.” He looked across the warriors.
“A small group will move faster.” “And remain unseen.” Rowan nodded.
“The King’s right.” Within minutes, the expedition was chosen.
Kael.
Rowan.
Twelve of the kingdom’s finest warriors.
Two healers.
And Aria.
As everyone prepared to leave, the elderly gardener hurried across the courtyard.
“My Lady!” Aria smiled warmly.
“You shouldn’t be running.” The old man chuckled.
“Probably not.” He held out a tiny leather pouch.
She accepted it carefully.
“What’s this?” “Moonflower seeds.” She looked puzzled.
“They only grow where hope survives.” He smiled gently.
“I think you’ll know when to plant them.” Aria hugged him.
“Thank you.” Watching from a distance, Kael couldn’t help but smile.
Rowan noticed.
“You’ve got that look again.” Kael sighed.
“What look?” “The one where you’re pretending not to be completely in love.” Kael laughed quietly.
“I’ve already lost that battle.” Far beyond the mountains…
Malakar stood before a giant map carved into black stone.
One glowing silver light moved slowly northward.
A second light approached from the west.
He smiled.
“So…” “They’re finally coming together.” One of his generals frowned.
“My Lord?” Malakar pointed to the two lights.
“The Lycan King.” “The Blackwood Alpha.” “They both believe they’re racing toward the Moonborn’s father.” He slowly closed his hand.
“But destiny has something else waiting for them.” The sun dipped below the mountains as Kael’s party reached the entrance to the Frostfang Pass.
The air turned bitterly cold.
Snowflakes drifted from the darkening sky.
Aria looked ahead.
A narrow stone bridge stretched across a bottomless chasm.
Ancient wolf statues lined both sides, their eyes worn smooth by centuries of wind.
The moment Kael stepped onto the bridge…
The statues’ eyes began to glow.
A deep voice echoed through the pass.
“Only those with truthful hearts may cross.” The bridge trembled.
Behind them…
The path they had used disappeared beneath a wall of solid ice.
There was no turning back.