Chapter 117

Emily’s POV

The crystals flared.

Every jagged formation in the cavern lit up at once, flooding the dark with a blinding, silver-blue glare. Below us, the giant ring began to hum so violently I could feel the vibration in the marrow of my bones.

Then the surface of the crystal lake shifted. A shimmering veil spread across the water, looking like liquid moonlight.

The portal was open.

I watched, frozen, as figures began to emerge from the glow. First came the rogues—armed, messy, and covered in fresh blood. Then came the wolves. An entire pack stumbled out behind them, their faces gray with exhaustion and terror. Some were limping; others wore heavy silver restraints that bit into their skin.

There were children among them. Small, shaking pups clinging to their mothers.

My stomach turned.

Declan didn't even flinch. He looked at the wreckage of these people like he was counting cattle.

“Duty calls, little wolf,” he s