A World in Ashes

The weight of the night pressed down on Leah's chest, suffocating and cold. She stood in the center of the estate's war-ravaged hall, the scent of blood and smoke still clinging to the air. But none of that mattered.

Not compared to the ache in her chest.

Damon had left.

Her heart pounded against her ribs as she tried to make sense of what had happened. He had protected her, stood between her and Azrael like she mattered. And then… he had walked away.

Kai's voice cut through the silence, sharp and commanding. "Leah, we don't have time for this."

She turned, meeting his golden gaze. He was right. Azrael wasn't done. Whatever had just happened was only the beginning.

But the question burned in her mind.

What had Damon done?

And worse—why did part of her still want to follow him?

---

The estate felt different. The once-stronghold of the pack now stood fragile, haunted by the ghosts of war. The wounded were being tended to, the fallen honored, but no one could shake the unspoken truth.

Azrael would return.

Leah barely noticed Claire rushing toward her until she felt her friend's hands on her shoulders. "Leah! What happened out there? What did Azrael mean?"

Selene stood nearby, arms crossed, her sharp gaze locked onto Leah like she was waiting for something to break. "Yeah, princess. Care to explain how you suddenly have enough power to go toe-to-toe with a damn Shadow Prince?"

Leah exhaled sharply. "I don't know."

And that was the problem.

The power had always been there, simmering beneath the surface. But it wasn't until tonight that it had fully awakened, responding like it had been waiting for something—or someone.

Kai stepped forward. "We need answers. Now." His voice was steady, but Leah saw the conflict in his eyes. He wasn't just looking at her as an ally. He was looking at her like a threat.

Vivienne, who had been silent up until now, finally spoke. "I might have something."

The room fell still.

Leah swallowed. "What do you know?"

Vivienne's gaze darkened. "Your bloodline isn't normal. You're not just human. You're something older."

Kai stiffened. "Older than wolves?"

Vivienne nodded. "There were stories—whispers of the Primordial Line. The first beings to walk this world before the packs, before the clans. They were neither human nor wolf. They were both. And if Azrael believes you're one of them…"

Leah's breath caught.

It meant she wasn't just caught in the crossfire of this war.

She was the reason for it.

---

Silence stretched, thick with tension.

Kai turned to the group. "Then we need to move. The Hollow Archives are our only chance at finding out what Leah is—and how we stop Azrael before he comes for her again."

Selene smirked. "Finally, some action."

Claire shifted uncomfortably. "And what if we find out something worse? What if Leah isn't meant to be saved?"

Leah's stomach twisted.

No one spoke.

Kai's gaze flickered to Leah, then hardened. "She will be."

He made it sound like a promise.

But promises were dangerous things.

---

In the Shadows

Miles away, Damon stood on the edge of a cliff, staring out into the endless blackness of the night. He could still feel her—her power, her confusion, her pain.

He closed his eyes.

I had to leave.

A cold chuckle echoed behind him.

"You hesitate."

Damon didn't turn. "I don't answer to you."

Azrael stepped into view, his silver hair glinting in the moonlight, his abyssal eyes filled with amusement. "No? Then why are you here?"

Silence stretched between them.

Azrael's smirk deepened. "You think you can protect her from me?"

Damon's hands clenched into fists. "I will."

Azrael tilted his head. "How noble. And yet… how foolish."

Darkness curled at his fingertips as he stepped closer. "You didn't tell her, did you?"

Damon's jaw tightened.

Azrael's grin widened. "Oh, Damon… you should know by now. Secrets have a way of ripping things apart."

Before Damon could respond, Azrael vanished into the night, his laughter lingering in the cold air.

Damon exhaled sharply.

Because Azrael was right.

When Leah learned the truth—when she found out what Damon had done—

She would never forgive him.

---

Leah is ready to uncover her past.

Damon is ready to sacrifice everything to protect her.

And Azrael?

He is ready to burn the world to get what he wants.