The high towers and ivy-covered walls of Barduff Castle were illuminated by a silvery glow as the moon hung low over the castle. Leah tossed in her sleep inside the Luna's quarters, her breathing irregular and her brow wet with perspiration.
She had a dream, but it wasn't just any dream.
In the vision, she was standing in a huge forest with charred and blackened trees, and the ground beneath her feet was broken like glass. There were no stars or moons in the sky above, just a dense blackness. Distant cries resounded through her bones as a chilly wind howled through the trees.
All of a sudden, a cloaked figure emerged from the flames as fire burst in a circle around her. Its eyes were hollow and bleeding shadows, and its face was concealed by a wolf bone mask. Unseen force caused Leah's limbs to freeze as it raised a hand.
"You can't keep them all safe," the voice, which was layered with bitter and ancient echoes, rasped. "You have to cross the line. The forest needs to burn.
Leah turned to see hundreds of wolves trapped behind a wall of fire as the flames raged and engulfed the trees. Her kids. Serafina. Amelia. Nicholas. Tobin, even. Their terrified gazes met hers.
"No!" She cried out, attempting to run, to get to them, but her feet were stuck in ash.
The figure in the cloak leaned in.
"One lie-based bond One truth-based love. Only one will make it out alive."
Abruptly, like a sunburst, a dazzling light burst from her chest. Hissing, the figure backed away and vanished into the smoke.
Then she was dropping—into silence, into the dark.
Leah woke up with a start, her heart thumping against her ribs as she gasped. The cold dread that was clinging to her skin was not lessened by the morning light that came in through her window.
Beside her, Jacob stirred, his instincts instantly on high alert. "Leah? What is it?
Pressing a quivering hand to her chest, she sat up. Jacob, I saw it. Alpha the Hollow. He is a danger not only in the forest but also in our ancestries and dreams. He is coming to get our kids.
Jacob tensed. "A vision?"
Leah gave a slow nod. A cautionary tale. and a decision.
A knock on the door was heard. Eyes wide, one of the castle guards came in.
"My Luna—from Tailwind—a raven. They have discovered an altar, according to Alpha Samuel. ceremonial. Risky.
Jacob muttered an expletive.
Leah got up and began tugging at her cloak. Call a council meeting. Serafina needs to be warned right away. We can't afford to wait. Whatever comes, it has already started.
Her hand rested momentarily on the pendant that Vivian used to wear around her neck as she walked out of the room.
It was slightly warm and pulsed. Furthermore, Leah was certain that the past was resurfacing and that the Hollow Alpha would not stop until the future was blazing.