ghtening on the hilt of her dagger. She'd fought before-bled, lived-but this wasn't the same. This was war. Yet, amidst all the chaos, she thought of Kieran. He stood a few feet off, golden eyes

y something more. And then he reached out, his fingers brushing the edge of her neck. It was this rapid, spontaneous touch, and it sent shivers down her spine. "Good," he breathed, his eyes darkening. "Because I'm not done with you." And before she even had time to blink, the moment was gone. He spun around, already battling the next enemy, but Raven was stuck in that extra second, racing heart for no reason related to the fight. She had wanted to prove herself tonight. To show that she had her place in this war. But now she realized something far more dangerous. She had to demonstrate. The warriors' cries, the clash of metal on metal, and the screams of the wounded faded into the background as her focus came back to the fight at hand. She could not get lost in this moment-not when lives were at stake. Focusing, Raven pushed aside the agony in her shoulder and reengaged in the fight. She dodged and weaved around the battlefield, hitting as many enemies as she could. Each strike of her dagger came more easily than the previous one, instinct driving her. She was no longer a survivor; she was fighting among the pack, each movement harmonized perfectly with those around her. Every time she brought an enemy crashing to the earth, it was a small victory-not for herself, but for Kieran and the pack. They were a force to be reckoned with as a group. But battle frenzy quickly caught up with Raven

tay sharp!" he ordered,

to leave. They battled through chaos, their gasping voices merged within the chaos as they foug

outed, calling upon

y second pushing her to change. An arrow whizzed past, inches from her hair. She acted out of inst

ah in the distance, fighting valiantly, her face twisted in fierce determination. Kaleb was present, fighting a fo

a sweat. His golden eyes glowed like the sun, cutting through the shadows-and in that moment,

out repelling the next attacker with fresh vigor, sidestepping his defenses with a stealt

nce more at her side, fighting hard against a horde o

scendo, almost drowning out reason. Yet within the turmoil, Raven felt a sharpening clarity s

was scarred and a dangerous presence. He was powerful, his strides heavy, cutting through thei

voice ringing over the din

e, his eyes narrowing as he gauged the

ng together," she replied, the fire of determinat

forms. Kaleb followed closely behind her. They moved in unison, two bodies moving as one in seamless accord towards their co