"The packhouse."


    The word left my mouth like a curse.


    "No," Cassian said sharply. "The inner wards-"


    "Are strong," I cut in. "But not unbreakable. And not meant to withstand a focused assault from inside and out."


    Silence on the line for half a second.


    Then: "No sign of Felicity on the field."


    "I know."


    The words tasted like poison.


    Everything clicked into ce with horrifying rity. The visions. The storm. The rogues moving like soldiers instead of animals. Felicity didn''t need to beat us here.


    She just needed us gone, out of her way.


    "ric," I snapped, switching channels even as I ducked under another attack. "Status."


    "I''m en route back,” he replied instantly. Too instantly. He''d already been moving. "I felt it shift. You know what it means, don''t you?"


    "Yes," I said. "They''reing for Ellie."


    Alow, dangerous sound rumbled through the connection. "Then they will not seed."


    "I need you at the packhouse yesterday,” I said. "I''m breaking off as soon as I can."


    I lifted my head and let out a long, piercing howl one of only threemands my pacould recognize without question.


    Fall back


    Not retreat. Reposition.


    Silver Fang warriors responded instantly, tightening their formation, refusing to chase as the rogues pressed harder, sensing the shift.


    Good.


    Let them think they were winning.


    I barreled through the line, ripping a path back toward mymand unit, mind racing faster than my body. Every second mattered. Every step away from the packhouse felt like betrayal.


    Ellie was strong. I knew that. Stronger than she realized.


    But she wasn''t meant to stand alone against this.


    I shifted back into human form mid-run, painncing through me as boots hit the ground hard. One of my lieutenants was already at my side.


    “Prep the fastest riders," I ordered. "I want a strike team back at the packhouse immediately. Ward specialists,


    heavy hitters. No hesitation."


    "Yes, Alpha."


    The storm cracked overhead atst, thunder rolling across the battlefield in a sound so violent it made even the rogues hesitate.


    I took that moment to breathe-and to think.


    Ellie wasn''t alone. I wasn''t reckless or prideful enough to have left the packhouse unguarded, but it wouldn''t be enough. Not for whatever wasing.


    Felicity wasn''t reckless. She was cruel, yes, but patient. She wanted Ellie isted, frightened, forced into a choice. She wanted the prophecy fulfilled on her terms.


    Not if I had anything to say about it.


    I activated the private channel I reserved for only one person.


    “Ellie,” I said, forcing calm into my voice even as fear wed at my spine. "If you can hear me-listen carefully."


    There was a pause. Then her voice, steady despite everything. "I''m here."


    Relief hit me so hard I almost staggered.


    "They''re trying to draw us away," I said. "You were right. This was always about you. About the boys. I need you to be prepared."


    "I know,” she replied quietly. I could hear the goddess''s presence humming faintly through the connection. "The wards are holding-for now. The guards inside are in position, and I is with me. The boys are safe in the panic room with Rae."


    "Good,” I said. “You stay inside. You do not go looking for me."


    A soft, humorless exhale. "I won''t."


    "ric is on his way. He''ll be with you soon."


    I could almost feel the relief that passed through her. “That''s good. He can help me hold the wards."


    "I''ming back," I promised. Not a hope. A fact. "Hold the line. Just a little longer."


    "I will,” she said. Her tone was confident, determined. It eased my mind just a


    fraction. Then her voice came again, softer. "Come home, Nn."


    The line cut. The silence hit me like a punch.


    I turned back to the battlefield, eyes zing as the truth fully settled into my bones.


    I had been wrong. Or in denial. This wasn''t the storm''s beginning.


    This was the moment it broke.


    And Felicity had made one fatal mistake-she''d underestimated how far I would go to protect what was mine.


    I mounted one of the waiting horses in a single fluid motion, ignoring the pain screaming through my side as my warriors formed up around me.


    "Ride," I ordered.


    We tore away from the battlefield at full speed, thunder and war howling behind us


    as the storm surged toward the heart of Silver Fang.


    Toward my family.


    And this time, I would be there to meet it.


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    Cede is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a ir for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cede''s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.