"You believe this to be your battle to win? The voice shivered down my spine from the darkness, silky and taunting. Luca and I stopped, our senses sharp as we peered about us into darkness.
Luca insisted, his voice cutting: "Show yourself."
One man moved deliberately and slowly ahead. He was tall and thin, his keen features lit by the dim illumination of the necklace slung around my neck. His sharp golden eyes fixed on me, then he started to smile at the corner of his lips.
"Relax, Alpha," he remarked in a mocking voice. You wouldn't have gotten thus far if I wanted you dead.
Luca growled and moved defensively in front of me. "Who are you? "
"My name doesn't matter," the stranger continued, staring never away from me. "What counts is that you're on a perilous road that, should you not turn back, will lead to ruin."
Unspoken threats fuelled the strained air between us. My mark burned weakly, and I tightened my hands to help me slow down my pounding heart.
