Chapter 42

“Osric, you’re in charge here,” I said, my tone leaving no room for argument.

His mouth opened, as if to protest, but when he saw the resolve in my eyes, he nodded.

“Be careful,” he said, his voice gruff.

I didn’t waste time responding. I tore through the forest, my claws digging into the earth with each step. The sounds of battle grew louder, snarls and yelps filling the air as the scent of blood became stronger.

When I broke through the treeline, the sight before me made my heart seize.

The southern border was chaos. Wolves clashed in a tangle of fur and claws, the ground beneath them slick with blood. Dante stood at the center, his movements a blur as he fended off two rogues at once. Beyond him, Merris fought a massive wolf—Silas’s second-in-command. Her movements were precise, but she was being driven back, step by step.

“Hold the line!” I shouted, throwing myself into the fray.