“I’m certain I belong at Ryker’s side,” I reply. “Whatever comes.”
Her expression softens. “Then allow me to accompany you as personal guard. I’ve been training you—I know your capabilities and limitations better than anyone except the Alpha.”
I’m touched by her offer. “I’ll speak to Ryker about it,” I promise.
She nods, seemingly satisfied, and moves to join the other wolves preparing for tomorrow’s summit. Over her shoulder, I see Lithia watching me. Her gaze is steel as she stares, her face blank. That vague unease returns, a whisper of knowledge that I’m missing something.
Forcing myself to turn away, I go in search of my alpha.
Night finds Rykerand me in our chambers, finalizing preparations for the summit. He’s selected five wolves to accompany us—Lithia, naturally, along with Elias and three elite fighters I’ve come to know during training sessions. Zella has been added as a last-minute addition to the party at my request, assigned specifically as my personal guard.
“I still don’t like this,” Ryker admits as we prepare for bed. “Taking you into potential danger goes against every instinct I possess.”
“Yet you agreed,” I observe, watching him pace like his wolf form would, powerful and predatory even in human skin.
“Because your reasoning is sound.” He stops, turning to face me fully. “And because our bond is stronger together than apart. If anything happens, if Thaddeus tries something unexpected...”
“We’ll face it together,” I finish for him, approaching to place my hands on his chest.
His arms encircle me, drawing me against the solid wall of his body.
“You should try to seek a vision tonight,” he suggests, his voice rumbling through his chest against my ear. “See what you can of tomorrow’s summit. Any advantage we can gain...”
I nod, though fatigue pulls at my limbs after a day of preparation and planning. “Will you anchor me?”
“Always.” The single word carries layers of meaning between us.
We move to the bed, arranging ourselves—Ryker seated with his back against the headboard, me nestled between his legs, my back to his chest, his arms encircling me.
“Ready?” he asks, his lips at my temple.
I nod, closing my eyes and reaching for our bond. It responds instantly, his power flowing into me through the claiming mark. Anchored in his strength, I extend my gift outward, seeking glimpses of what awaits us at tomorrow’s summit.
The vision comes slowly, fragmented at first, less clear than if I was within the Well. It’s a clearing in neutral territory, wolves from multiple packs are gathered. I push deeper, trying to see beneath the diplomatic veneer to the Grand Alpha’s true intentions.
Images flash faster—Thaddeus’s eyes fixed not on Ryker but on me. I push harder, seeking clarity, trying to see if there’s a moment when diplomacy will give way to violence. The vision blurs,resistance pushing back against my probe as if something or someone is actively shielding these particular futures from my sight.
Pain spikes behind my eyes, the familiar warning that I’m reaching my limits despite Ryker’s anchoring presence. I try to withdraw gently, but the vision clings to me with unusual tenacity, dragging me deeper despite my resistance.
A new scene forms—unfamiliar stone walls, silver chains, a small chamber lit by torchlight. I see myself, bound and isolated, cut off from the bond by silver’s deadly influence. The image is so vivid, so immediate that it feels less like possibility and more like inevitability.
Then, strangely, the vision shifts once more—but instead of seeing, Ihear. A woman’s voice, familiar yet distorted by the vision’s haze, speaking words I can’t quite grasp.
“It ends here.”
With a gasp, I wrench myself free, returning to the present with jarring suddenness. Ryker’s arms tighten around me as I tremble with the aftermath of forced withdrawal.
“Kitara?” he asks, concern evident in his voice.
“I’m okay.” I fold forward, breathing deep. “Just tired.”
He rubs my back gently as I try to calm.
“It’s a trap,” I manage through ragged breaths. “The summit is definitely a trap. Thaddeus wants me, not peace.”
Ryker’s growl vibrates through his chest against my back. “Then we don’t go.”
“No.” I turn in his arms, needing to see his face. “We must. There’s something else happening, something I couldn’t quite see. If we don’t go tomorrow, we won’t end this.”
