The forest spun around me as I stumbled out of the cavern, my legs wobbly like a newborn deer. Kael’s arm was tight around my waist, keeping me upright, his warmth the only thing holding me together when everything else felt like it was falling apart. Julian walked just ahead, his pale eyes darting through the trees like he expected something to jump out at us any second.

  We spilled into the clearing where we’d trained earlier that day—God, was it only hours ago? The half-moon hung overhead, casting a silvery glow over everything. I dropped onto a fallen log, my chest heaving, breaths coming too fast and too shallow. The pendant rested against my skin, cold now after its earlier flare-up, but the First’s voice still rattled around in my head: “Choose soon, child, or the choice will be made for you.”

  Kael knelt in front of me, his gray eyes locked on mine, worried and searching. “Layla, talk to me. What’s going on up there?” He tapped his temple lightly, like he could reach in and pull my thoughts out himself.

  I glanced at him, then over at Julian, who was leaning against a tree, his face a blank mask. “I don’t know who to trust anymore,” I said, my voice so quiet it barely made it past my lips. “The First, my blood, you guys—it’s all a mess, and I’m stuck right in the middle of it.”

  Julian’s eyes narrowed, sharp as ever. “Trust is a luxury we don’t have. Not with everything on the line.”

  Kael glared at him. “That’s not helping, Julian.”

  “Isn’t it?” Julian stepped away from the tree, his voice tight with frustration. “She needs to wake up. The First isn’t some wise old grandma—it’s a leech, and it’ll drain her dry if she lets it.”

  His words hit me like a slap, and I flinched. “So what do I do? Pretend it’s not there? Act like it’s not part of me?”

  “No,” Kael said, his voice steady as he grabbed my hand. “But you don’t have to deal with it by yourself. We’re in this together.”

  Julian snorted, folding his arms. “Together? You think your pack’s going to throw her a welcome party now that the First is awake? Or that my coven won’t come poking around, hungry for her power?”

  Kael shot to his feet, shoulders squared. “My pack stands with me. And if your coven shows up, we’ll handle it.”

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  “Always the optimist,” Julian muttered, but his eyes softened when they landed on me. “He’s not wrong, though. You’ve got us.”

  My throat tightened—part gratitude, part doubt. I wanted to believe them, but the First’s words clung to me like damp clothes. “The worlds of fang and claw bend to me once more. Through you.” I shivered, hugging myself.

  “I need answers,” I said, forcing my voice to stay steady. “About the First, my family. If I’m going to fight this, I need to know what I’m up against.”

  Kael nodded. “The pack’s den has archives—old books, stories. There might be something about the First in there.”

  Julian raised an eyebrow. “And risk your pack freaking out over her? Not your smartest idea.”

  “Then what?” Kael snapped. “Lock her up somewhere and hope it all blows over?”

  “Actually,” Julian said, a sly grin tugging at his lips, “yeah. At least until we’ve got a real plan.”

  I stood up, legs still shaky but my spine stiffening. “I’m not hiding. I’m tired of being scared of myself.”

  Julian’s grin widened, and I caught a flicker of something like pride in his eyes. “Good. Then we’ll figure out another way.”

  Before we could hash it out, a growl rolled out of the trees. My senses kicked into overdrive, the buzz in my head spiking. Three wolves stepped into the moonlight, their eyes gleaming, but one shifted as he moved, fur sliding away to reveal a tall, scarred guy with a hard stare.

  “Gareth,” Kael said, his tone cautious. “What’s going on?”

  Gareth’s eyes flicked to me, then back to Kael. “The elders want her. Right now. They felt whatever you woke up down there.”

  Kael stepped in front of me, a wall of muscle and stubbornness. “She’s not going with you.”

  Gareth’s lip curled. “You’d turn on the pack for her? A hybrid?”

  “She’s one of us,” Kael growled, his voice low and dangerous.

  “Is she?” Gareth shot back, his packmates creeping closer. “Or is she why the First is stirring? The elders will figure it out.”

  Julian slid closer to me, his voice a icy whisper. “Time to leave.”

  But I shook my head, heart hammering. “I’m not running. If they want to talk, I’ll talk.”

  Kael spun to face me, eyes wide. “Layla, they’re not here for a friendly chat. They’re scared, and scared wolves don’t mess around.”

  “I know,” I said, holding his gaze. “But I need them to see me—really see me, not just some hybrid or threat.”

  Julian sighed, his fingers brushing mine for a split second. “Brave, but stupid. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  Gareth snarled, clearly done waiting. “Make up your mind, Kael. Give her up, or we take her.”

  Kael’s fists balled up, his whole body shaking with barely-held-back rage. But I stepped forward, my voice ringing out clear. “I’ll go with you. On my terms. I want to talk to the elders myself.”

  Gareth blinked, thrown off. “You’d face them?”

  “I’ve got nothing to hide,” I said, even as my stomach churned with nerves.

  Kael grabbed my arm, gentle but desperate. “Layla, please. Let me deal with this.”

  I shook my head, giving him a small, shaky smile. “You can’t shield me from everything, Kael. This is my fight.”

  He stared at me, then let go, nodding like it hurt him to do it. “Then I’m coming too.”

  Julian stepped back, his face unreadable again. “I’ll stay out of it. Wolves and vampires don’t play nice, especially not now.”

  I nodded, grateful he wasn’t pushing it. “Thanks.”

  Gareth and his crew turned to lead us off, and as we went, the pendant warmed against my chest, a faint light leaking through my shirt. I gripped it, letting its glow steady me. The road ahead was a big, scary question mark, but for once, I felt like I was calling the shots. I was choosing this—facing the pack my way.

  As we melted into the trees, Julian’s voice floated after me, soft and almost sweet: “Be careful, Layla. Trust breaks easy.”

  I glanced back, but he’d already vanished, a shadow in the dark. I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and kept walking. The elders were waiting, and maybe, just maybe, they had the answers I needed.