ainst us as I followed Rowan through the trees. His urgency wa

touch halted him. I stepped in front of him as my breath formed puffs in the cold nig

flickered with emotions I couldn't fully read.

r yourself?" I weighed on, folding my arm

it," he admitted, his voi

e. I saw it now, the cracks in his armor, the weight he car

on, Rowan," I said firmly.

ighed, raking a hand through his hair. "You're stronger than anyon

red. "But I'm not going to stand on the side

ment, the tension between us shifted. "Y

I asked, my voi

even when the odds were against her. But it got her killed." Hi

against his hand. "You're not going t

s me as his eyes searched for mi

it," I assured him. "You ju

a step closer. He lifted his hand to cup my jaw, his touch wa

d softly, rubbing his thumb l

efused to look away. "Maybe not," I said with a teasi

word. The kiss was gentle at first, testing, but it quickly deepened, igniting a fire that spread through me like wildfire

glass when a low, guttural g

is gaze, my stomach sunk as glowing eyes emerged from the darkness. The

?" I whispered with a steady voice,

s voice low. "Not un

uins of the old chapel came into view, bathed in an eerie silver light of the ful

started," Rowan sa

ange symbols etched into the walls. They matc

I asked, my grip tigh

felt a wave of electricity as his fingers br

ed, louder and more insistent, weaving through the air like a haunting melody. I felt a c

aintly. The air crackled with energy, and the werewolves emerged from

do this," one of them growle

. "You've had centuries to control thi

rward but I stepped in front of

d. I noticed my voic

rowing. "You don't understand what you'r

with an unwavering voice. "Ei

e looked at me, a flicker of admir

fraid," I

turned back to the altar. With a deep breath, he press

e altar. I shielded my eyes, and my heart raced as the energy surged aroun

gone, and the ruins stood eerily still. But as I opened her eyes, I realize

expression grim. "This

rs returned, louder than ever, and a c

d something you