Chapter 81

Ronan’s POV

His scream shattered the forest’s stillness, sending birds flapping from the branches in terrified bursts. It was a blood-curdling yowl of pain—just what the traitor deserved. I vaulted from my horse as he collapsed from his, crumpling to the damp earth while gibberish tumbled from his lips. Drawing my sword, I advanced—but to my fury, his wound knitted itself closed. Damn hybrid healing!

I brought my blade down again, and he caught it mid-air, propping himself on one elbow to glare up at me. “Ronan,” he rasped, voice ragged, “please—hear me out. It’s not what you think. I swear by the Moon Goddess—”

“Traitor!” I roared, driving my boot into his side and hurling him onto his back. I hammered the sword against his ribs, splashing blood across the moss. The pack troops, circling just beyond the clearing, erupted in cheers, hungry for the head of this “wimpy turncoat.”

“Where is Seris?!” I snarled, closing the distance until my breath scorched