The celebration stretched late into the night, and for the first time in years, the Bloodstone Pack slept deeply. Peacefully. Safely.
Or so they believed.
By dawn, the lanterns had dimmed, and the grand hall stood quiet—only faint traces of laughter and music lingering in the air. Crystal Hale stood on one of the balconies, arms folded as she watched the sun rise over the treetops. Dustin’s presence warmed her back as he joined her, wrapping an arm around her waist.
“Aeron handled last night perfectly,” Crystal murmured.
“He did,” Dustin agreed. “He’s ready for the next step.”
Crystal nodded, but her brows pinched together.
“What is it?” Dustin asked immediately.
“I… felt something last night.” Crystal’s gaze drifted toward the distant tree line. “A whisper. A shift. Something subtl
