The scent hit me before I even opened the door. My stomach clenched, recognizing it instantly. Liam. After five long years, he was here.
I hesitated, hand on the doorknob. This was the last thing I needed right now, not after the chaos of last night's attack. Taking a deep breath, I stepped inside.
"Skye?" Jake's concerned voice came from behind me. "Everything okay?"
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. How could I explain that my rejected mate had just walked back into our lives?
The main hall fell silent as I entered. And there he was. Liam. But not the Liam I remembered. Gone was the easygoing boy I'd known. In his place stood a man hardened by time, all lean muscle and sharp edges. His eyes, once warm, now burned with an intensity that made me shiver.
Those eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, the world seemed to tilt.
"Alpha," he said, his voice deeper than I remembered. "It's been a while."
I straightened up, forcing my voice to stay steady. "Liam. The Council didn't mention you'd be our new enforcer."
A hint of a smirk played at his lips. "Didn't they? How... unfortunate."
The tension in the room was thick enough to cut. I needed to take control before things got out of hand.
"Everyone out," I ordered. "Except Jake. And you," I added, nodding to Liam.
Once we were alone, I crossed my arms. "So, enforcer, huh? Quite a change."
Liam shrugged. "A lot can change in five years, Skye. But then, you'd know all about that, wouldn't you?"
I bristled at the accusation in his voice. "I did what I had to do. For the pack. For myself."
"And how's that working out?" His eyes swept the room, taking in the signs of our hasty defense. "Seems like you could use some help after all."
Anger flared in my chest. "We handled it. My pack is strong."
"Strong enough to fend off Rose Creek? To deal with whatever caused that power surge last night?" Liam stepped closer, his scent washing over me. "The Council sent me for a reason, Skye. Something big is coming."
I wanted to argue, but the memory of my weird transformation during the fight stopped me. What if it happened again?
"Fine," I said, hating how it felt like giving in. "You can stay. But get this straight – I'm the Alpha here. You report to me."
For a second, I thought he might challenge me. Then, slowly, he nodded. "As you wish... Alpha."
The way he said my title sent a shiver down my spine. I turned to Jake, pushing the feeling aside. "Show Liam to the guest room. And fill him in on last night's attack."
As they left, Liam paused. "We need to talk, Skye. Privately. There's stuff you need to know."
I watched them go, a knot forming in my stomach. What else could possibly have changed?
In my office, exhaustion hit me like a truck. I closed my eyes, just for a moment...
The dream came fast and vivid. I was flying over the forest, wings beating the air. Below, two wolves – one black, one silver – raced through the trees, chased by shadowy figures. As the shadows closed in, I tried to shout a warning. Instead, a piercing shriek tore from my throat.
I jolted awake to find Liam in my doorway, watching me with an unreadable expression.
"Bad dream?" he asked casually, but his eyes were sharp.
I stood, shaking off the lingering unease. "What do you want, Liam?"
He stepped inside, closing the door. "To talk about what's really going on."
"And what's that?"
Liam's eyes met mine, filled with a mix of emotions I couldn't quite read. "The real reason the Council sent me. There's a prophecy, Skye. About a wolf who's more than a wolf. Someone who'll either save our kind or destroy us all."
My blood ran cold as the words sank in. My weird transformation during the fight... could it be related?
"The Council thinks it's you," Liam continued urgently. "And they're not the only ones. There are others out there who'll do anything to control you. Or kill you if they can't."
I wanted to laugh it off, but the dead serious look in his eyes stopped me. "Why should I believe you?"
"Because," Liam said, stepping closer, "I've seen it. While I was gone, I saw glimpses of possible futures. And in every one where you – where we – survived, we were together."
Before I could respond, shouts and growls erupted outside. Liam and I locked eyes for a split second before rushing out.
The scene in the main hall made my heart stop. Jake was on the ground, bleeding. Standing over him was... something. Part wolf, part something else. Something ancient and terrifying.
It turned to us, eyes glowing, lips pulled back in a snarl that revealed rows of razor-sharp teeth. When it spoke, its voice echoed with power.
"The prophecy begins," it growled. "Choose wisely, Feathered Alpha. The fate of all hangs in the balance."
Then it lunged, claws aimed straight for my throat.