Chapter 16 · The Fourth Seat

"She's bleeding out."

Rex's voice cut through the ringing in my ears. I blinked, tried to focus. Cain was on his knees three feet away, one hand pressed to his chest where the curse had torn through him. His shirt was soaked black. His breathing came in short, wet gasps.

Not healing. He wasn't healing.

"We need to go," Rex said, grabbing my arm. "Now."

"She's not going anywhere."

The voice came from the trees. Low. Cold. I knew that voice.

I'd heard it three years ago, right before everything fell apart.

Seven hunters stepped into the clearing. Dark green cloaks, hoods down now. I didn't recognize most of the faces.

Except one.

The man in front pulled his hood back, and my stomach dropped.

Gray hair. Sharp jaw. Eyes like frozen dirt.

Gareth Blake. My ex-Alpha's father.

Aiden moved in front of me before I could breathe. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Gareth smiled. Didn't reach his eyes. "Cleaning up your brother's mess. Again."

The other hunters fanned out, circling us. Rex's claws were already out. Cain was trying to stand, but his legs weren't working.