Title Page Copyright and Legal information Copyright © Rachel M Raithby Publish date : 29th May 2020 All rights reserved. Cover & Interior Images by Rob Smith Formatting by Kat Smith At CreationInspire Editing by Hot Tree Editing This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the prior written permission of the copyright owners. Other Titles THE NEW DAWN NOVELS (YA Fantasy) Winter Wolf Wolf Dancer Wolf Sight Lost Wolf Wolf Clash Wolf Queen THE DEADWOOD HUNTER SERIES (Adult PNR) Lexia Whispers of Darkness Holocaust Betrayal Surrender STANDALONE ADULT NOVELLAS (Fantasy) The Beast Within (Woodland Creek) Deaths Echo (The Complex) ALBANY NIGHTINGALE DUET (High-School Bully Romance) The Destruction of Rose The Resurrection of Us Dedication For anyone that’s defied fate. I like rebels. Reader Group & Newsletter If you would like to join Rachel’s Readers group on Facebook for exclusive updates click here. To sign up for Rachel’s Newsletter where she sends bonus and exclusive content click here If you would like to follow Rachel on Amazon click here Contents Copyright and Legal information Other Titles Dedication Reader Group & Newsletter Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Chapter 40 Chapter 41 Chapter 42 Chapter 43 Chapter 44 Chapter 45 Chapter 46 Chapter 47 Chapter 48 Chapter 49 Chapter 50 Chapter 51 Chapter 52 Chapter 53 Chapter 54 Chapter 55 Chapter 56 Chapter 57 Chapter 58 Chapter 59 Chapter 60 Chapter 61 Chapter 62 Chapter 63 Epilogue Acknowledgements Prologue Katalina As she dashed through the trees, wind rippled through her fur as Katalina weaved through Dark Shadow’s land, chased by her heavy thoughts. Leaving the inner circle behind, she entered the wilder outer edges of their territory, pushing herself faster while her muscles screamed in protest. The threat of war loomed high on the horizon, the tension within both packs palpable within the air, and as Katalina flew across the ground, she knew no amount of running would bring her comfort or change the inevitable. Their enemy was coming, and when they hit, death would follow. Lifting her head, she caught a scent on the breeze and slid to a stop. The scent shouldn’t have been so far into Dark Shadow territory in the dead of night. Anna? Anna stared vacantly ahead, her red silk nightdress billowing in the breeze. Goose bumps covered her skin as her long ruby hair whipped across her face. Katalina approached with care, her steps silent, her lithe body low to the ground. Blood. A whine left her throat as she nuzzled at Anna’s torn feet, licking at the wounds. Shifting, Katalina then took hold of Anna’s shoulders, gripping her firmly. “Anna? Anna, you’re hurt.” “I’m searching,” she whispered hauntingly. “For what?” Cage would go berserk if he discovered his mate freezing and injured in the forest. Cage and Anna’s mating had stopped Anna’s gift from taking hold of her in such a way, but it seemed fate wouldn’t go unheard. Gaze snapping to Katalina’s, Anna’s green eyes cleared. They were intense and wild as she rasped, “For you.” Her words ran like ice over Katalina’s skin, lodging like a dagger into her heart. “Let’s get you home before you freeze to death,” Katalina answered shakily. The dread she’d been outrunning wrapped tightly around her chest. She was already struggling to sleep, and Katalina wasn’t sure she wanted to hear what Anna had to say. “No! Cage blocks my path, and I must see.” With eyes aglow with otherworldly power, Anna reached forward and took hold of Katalina’s head, digging her fingers painfully into her temple. “Death comes. It beats its war drum, thirsty for blood. Yours will spill before this is done, crimson across the snow. For he fears you. He wants you, and when you fall, so shall those you love.” Anna’s words echoed with power and promise, and the reality Katalina didn’t want to face rose terrifying and deadly above her. “No, no, please… no.” Tears filled her eyes as Katalina begged, “Tell me how to fix it. Please, just give me something.” “I hear your cries. I hear the fury of two alpha wolves, and I see your blood spray across the ground. I see it over and over, Katalina. And when I look for an answer, I see no images, no words, only a knowing—a feeling in my chest, in my heart. You must remember where you come from. It’s where your true strength lies. And if the packs are to remain whole, you must survive.” “What does that even mean, Anna?” Katalina’s voice rose, desperation and fear colliding together. She didn’t want to die, but worse than that was knowing her death would leave devastation in its wake. “Remember where I come from?” She laughed bitterly. “How does coming from the human world help end this war?” Anna’s face crumpled, all the energy seeming to drain out of her. “I’m sorry. I don’t have more.” “How much time, Anna?” How much time do I have left to live? Anna swayed on her feet, her words a pained whisper, “The snow is thick, settled… not long, Kat.” As Anna’s knees gave out, Katalina
