Jayden's POV
Abner froze completely when he first laid eyes on her.
There she stood in the center of the moonlit courtyard, crimson eyes blazing like burning coals in the darkness. Terror and beauty merged into one breathtaking vision.
A deep, resonant howl escaped Abner's throat, rolling across the night air like thunder. Her power crashed over us in waves, wild and untamed. "She's absolutely perfect," Abner breathed through our connection, his voice thick with awe.
Yet something felt wrong.
Her gaze swept over us without the slightest hint of recognition. No spark of connection, no joy at finding her mate. She moved like a marionette controlled by invisible strings, guided by something foreign and dark. Still, Abner pushed forward in his overwhelming excitement, blind to the warning signs.
He remained oblivious to the danger until she launched herself skyward.
