Page 112 of Bitten, Marked, Obsessed

“Gideon’s Torch is rallying humans to destroy us. Typhon’s Brood is trying to unleash a weapon that could erase what makes ususto unleash on all humanity. And you’re still playing chess with secrets.”

“You’re a child,” he says. “Still thinking unity can save you.”

“No,” I say. “Iknowit can.”

I look behind him. A few shifters look back at me.

Half-bloods. Reformists. Ones who’ve been waiting for someone to stand the hell up.

“I’m not asking for your blessing,” I say to Mathis. “I’m taking the ones who will fight for more than just survival.”

He narrows his eyes. “You walk out that gate, you’re no longer heir to this pack.”

I stare him down. “Then I’ll build my own.”

And I turn away. And they follow.

By the time we get back to the safehouse, it’s dusk. But the clearing islit.

Fires in a circle. Shadows cast against trees. Andbodies.Dozens of them.

Shifters. Werewolves. Witches. A pair of dragons in half-form, massive and silent and terrifying.

Kendall’s standing near the center, her hair braided back, jaw set. And beside her—Adora.

She’s thinner. Sharper. Her power practically bleeding off her in waves. But she nods when she sees me. And I nod back. We don’t need words yet.

Elias steps up to the makeshift platform first, clearing his throat.

“They’ve come,” he says, voice booming. “Because the world’s ending. Or maybe beginning. I can’t tell anymore.”

Scattered laughter. More than I expect.

“But what Icantell you,” he says, “is that the ones who want to see it all burn? They’re already moving. The Brood. Gideon’s Torch. And worse.”

He steps aside. And I step up. But I don’t look at them first.

I look ather.

Kendall steps forward, hands at her sides, eyes bright with something like lightning. I take her hand and together, we speak.

“She’s Bolvi,” I say. “And yeah, that means something. But not what they’ve told you.”

“She’s not your destruction,” I continue. “She’s not a plague. Not a curse. And not a prophecy. She’s a key,” I say. “Tobreakingthe shit that’s held us apart for centuries.”

Kendall speaks then, voice strong and even.

“They want to use me. To turn me into something I’m not. To control what’s waking up inside me. Or weaponize it. But I’m not here to be used,” she says. “I’m here to stand. They want you to believe I’m dangerous because I’m different,” she says. “But if being different means standing between this world and the end of it—then I’ll be the loudest damn threat they’ve ever seen.”

The crowd roars.

And in that moment, I see it.

Not just her power. Herleadership.Herlight.And I know we have a chance. We’re not following bloodlines or banners anymore.

We’re followingher.

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