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Roberto and I made it back to Ferville alive. We were both battered and in need of a healer’s touch, but we’d heal within hours. Despite surviving together, Roberto had barely spoken to me since I’d opened the hatch and led him through the passage. I saw the relief in his eyes when he confirmed I wasn’t severely hurt, but he still sulked over not being allowed to fight by my side, to protect me.

Returning to Ferville, we found the city transformed into a war camp. Armed warriors hustled across the grounds, securing every possible inch. Emiliano was the first to spot us as we exited the passage, and after filling him in on what happened, he wasted no time spreading word of General Alvise’s death among the ranks. The news moved swiftly, aimed to sap the morale of Alvise’s troops, many of whom hadn’t yet learned of their leader’s death. Knowing this news would soon seep through the battlefield, I could already see the impact it would have on our enemies’ will to fight.

“I still don’t know if the blood spell worked,” I confessed to Emiliano, giving him a wry smile.

He met my gaze with a serious expression. “No one will blame you if it doesn’t, you know.”

I glanced at the warriors preparing for the battle. “These men might end up fighting their own people,” I murmured. “If Ornella’s forces come, it will be like brothers turning against each other.”

Emiliano placed a hand on my shoulder, his eyes steady and filled with resolve. “They know what’s coming. They’re prepared.”

A knot of bitterness tightened in my chest. It was cruel, the way Ornella had twisted the loyalty of these men to make them instruments of her own betrayal. The hatred I held for her deepened in that moment. Blood or not, there would be no forgiveness between us.

Soon, the full-scale battle erupted outside Ferville’s walls. As expected, some of Alvise’s men broke ranks and fled, but Ornella and Alpha Matteo’s armies pressed on, relentless. Blood soaked the ground as their forces clashed with ours. Ferville’s defenders fought fiercely, but they were hopelessly outnumbered. We all knew that, without reinforcements, Ferville was lost.

My wounds had mostly healed, and the wolfsbane’s effect had finally lifted, thanks to the healer’s potion. I was eager to fight, but Emiliano insisted I stay in the war tent, where he and his commanders strategized over the battle plans.

“We’ve defeated the squads coming from the west, but larger forces are pressing in from the north and south,” Commander Ubaldo reported. “If we split our men to cover both sides, we’ll be outflanked.”

Emiliano rubbed the bridge of his nose. “We have no other option. I say we send the bulk of our troops to face Ornella’s forces near the northern gate. Meanwhile, the Supreme squad and two others will confront Matteo’s men in the south.”

Commander Teobaldo clenched his fists. “That’s a suicide mission.”

“I know it is,” Emiliano replied, his tone steady. “But it’s what we have to do.”

Without hesitation, I stepped forward. “I’ll fight alongside you.”

Emiliano’s gaze softened, then he nodded. “Are you certain?”

I took a breath, steeling myself. “My parents made their home here. I have to protect it.”

Beside me, Roberto raised his hand. “Count me in. This time, you can’t keep me out.”

A grim smile passed between us before we turned back to Emiliano. “Lead the way, General.”



I’d fought many battles, even as a non-shifter, but never this close to the raw brutality of war. Here, I could see and feel it all—an unforgiving clash of teeth, claws, and death. The thirty-five of us from Ferville stood against more than a hundred snarling enemies. Fear twisted in my gut, but I forced it down, knowing bravery was all we had to hold onto.

Emiliano gave the signal, and we charged forward. The air thickened with the scent of blood as our claws and teeth met flesh. Around us, the brutal sounds of battle formed an unending storm of snarls and cries. I fought my way through, killing swiftly. The bodies piled underfoot, making each step precarious, and exhaustion slowly crept in. Yet I couldn’t afford to falter—I couldn’t die here, not without seeing Stefano again.

A fierce roar shook the battlefield, and I felt a surge of warmth fill my chest. Stefano was here. My heart raced as his warriors’ snarls rose like thunder across the field. A new surge of hope ignited in me, and I pushed forward with renewed strength. The endless enemy line before us thinned, scattered, then finally broke.

As the dust settled, I spotted him—a magnificent black wolf standing across the field. The bond between us pulled me forward, and I sprinted to him as he raced toward me.

“Goddess, you’re the most stunning creature I’ve ever seen,” he spoke through the bond, his voice like fire. “And if I don’t kiss you right now, I might die.”

I felt myself blush even in wolf form. “I’ll be naked when I shift back,” I reminded him.

“Then I’ll shield you—and kill anyone who dares look,” he promised.

Ignoring our surroundings, I shifted back, and so did he. In seconds, his arms wrapped around me, his lips capturing mine in a kiss that made me forget the blood and death around us. It was the wrong place, maybe, but nothing else mattered. We were together, and we were alive.



When the fighting paused, someone tossed us some clothing, and we began walking back toward the gates. Stefano stopped me, then lifted me into his arms and carried me across the battlefield. As exhaustion washed over me, my head rested against his chest, and I fought to keep my eyes open.

“It isn’t over,” I murmured, nuzzling against him. “Ornella’s armies are still at the northern gates…”

“I know,” he replied. “I sent ten squads there as we arrived. Antonio is leading them. We’ll join them soon, but you’ll stay in the castle.”

“No,” I shot back, meeting his gaze with a glare. “I won’t be left behind.”

He sighed deeply, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “You’ve done enough, little one.”

A surge of energy pulsed through me, and I drew a breath as magic surged in my veins. “The spell worked. I can feel it—I can break the blood bond.”

Stefano halted, looking at me in surprise. “What?”

My smile spread. “Ornella’s in for an unpleasant surprise. Take me to the northern gates.”



We rode swiftly, reaching the other side of the city without straining our muscles. Instinctively, I felt the blood bonds of Ornella’s warriors tugging at me. I closed my eyes, focusing on the dozens of blood-red threads woven into my mind. Ornella had twisted what was meant to be sacred. She didn’t deserve this power.

Following my instincts, I linked to all of them at once. ‘I release you from her spell,’ I commanded. ‘You are free to choose whom you serve. Choose well.’

In my mind, I watched the blood-red threads snap, one by one. As the fighting faded and the battlefield quieted, I opened my eyes.

The Night Mist warriors, Ornella’s army, had made their choice. They halted, shifted back, and knelt in unison before me.