---- To her, it had only been hours, though for everyone else, millennia had passed.


    "Soon, my love.


    We will see each other very soon." seb A few dayster, Quinn stood in the War Room.


    That was the name they had given to the chamber where the leaders gathered to organize the troopsvampires, werewolves, and battle-ready sorcerers.


    In recent years, uniting them under a single realm had been excruciatingly difficult.


    Old grudges still lingered, but under the power and authority of the Lycan Kingand after a few "lessons" no one dared to rebel anymore.


    "Behind the undead army, you can position the vampires and lycans.


    The sorcerers arent effective in closebat; they''re better at range," Zarek argued with Aldric over the strategy table.


    It waste, well past midnight.


    Everyone was exhausted, but time was running out.


    Quinns mind was restlesssomething was wrong with Gabrielle, he could feel it.


    He was about to leave to check on her when a sharp pain stabbed through his chest.


    "Quinn!" Aldric shouted as he saw him copse to the ground.


    ---- Dave, beside him, caught him quickly.


    Every lycan in the roomthe leaders of the wolf factionslooked on in rm.


    "Its Gabrielle.


    Somethings wrong," Quinn muttered, staggering to his feet, ignoring everyone''s protests as he bolted down the hallway.


    As he rounded a corner, he heard hurried footsteps approaching Gabrielles room.


    "somethings wrong with my mother!" Valeria appeared, her face tense, wrapping a shawl over her sleepwear.


    Quinn stormed into the dark room like a whirlwind, kicking the door open "Baby, whats wrong? Gabrielle, love, whats happening?" he rushed to the bed, holding her.


    She sat upright, the white sheets twisted around her waist, her head lowered, long hair veiling her face, silent.


    When Quinn lifted her face, he saw something astonishing one of her dull, gray eyes was slowly turning blue, regaining its vitality.


    valeria gasped, covering her mouth in shock.


    At that moment, Aldric and Zarek entered the room, their eyes widening at the incredible sight.


    The seal...


    its breaking.


    Thats why Ive regained some of my power.


    I cant...


    [cant hold it anymore..." Gabrielle whispered, her ---- breath ragged, her body drenched in sweat.


    She fixed her gaze on her daughter.


    "Tts time, Valeria." "Tt seems the hour hase, Lycan King," Zarek murmured to Aldric, who held Valeria tightly by the shoulders.


    They both shared the same grim expression as everyone else in the room.


    ")m ready, Father.


    More than ready." Sigrid stepped into the room, d in golden warrior armor, reminiscent of the kind Ss used to forge with his magic.


    Her short hair was partially tied back, and her stance radiated unwavering determination.


    Her focused, resolute eyes left no doubtshe was willing to do whatever it took to bring her mate back.