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"Kiss me, Wolf-Man," I said, voice husky. "Show me my mate is still in there."

Tye's chest rumbled and those golden eyes brightened as they met mine, the wolf surging for control.

Wet heat pooled between my legs as our bond flared and I leaned in.

I wanted him — wanted this …

Letting my eyes flutter shut, I stood up on my toes. Closer — closer.

His scent surrounded me, making me bold, and I opened my eyes.

Tye was staring down at me with a cold expression, the only hint that he might be feeling something was the rapid pulse beating in his neck.

"The tattoos seal my powers," he said, voice raspy as he stepped away. "I got more last night. A kiss won't work, Witch."

Were those yellow eyes full of … pity?

Hells! My cheeks burned as I ignored the aching inside my chest.

We were doomed —thatwas the reason his words hurt — nothing else.

"I've been out here before on other missions, though," he continued. "And it isn't as bad as you remember. Most of the wraiths have been taken out by Frexin and her team, or by that monster."

"Gremlyn-shit," I spat. "Jaiel and I barely survived our last trek through the forest. But we don't have himorhis shadow this time!"

My chest twinged at the memory — Jaiel and I fighting a hoard of wraiths, then fucking in the Giant ruins to refill his charisma.

No. Don't think about him right now.

"We should go back and get help from Lady Valtru's men," I said, voice rough.

"Or …" Liam said, stepping forward. "We could listen to what this woman has to say …"

He tugged forward a strange woman bundled up in a ragged brown cloak.

She lifted her head — eyes red and swollen from crying — and I inhaled sharply.

It was the mother from earlier!

"Her name is Della," Liam said, voice somber. "Her son, Rowan, was out exploring the mountain when he found a corrupt soul relic." His gaze fell to the shorter woman. "It pulled him in, and he only escaped because Della, here, got worried and went to find him. She got him away, but it was too late." He looked at me, those green eyes full of worry. "It's only a matter of time until he turns."

My mind fell back to the corrupt relic I'd almost touched in Gleyma. I'd never seen Lynk so worried as when I'd almost touched that thing. If that little boy had used his magic around it …

Fuck.My heart wrenched.The Gods just couldn't play fair …

The woman's gaze lifted to meet mine, those brown eyes full of desperation. "Our people cage the corruptedand send them out to a field to die when they turn. Everyone but the soldiers are forbidden to go there, but I —" Her voice broke. "I can't let him go through this alone."

"There's nothing you can do for him now," Tye said. "If he's corrupted, it's a mercy to keep him away from those he loves."

"I know. I just —" The woman's shoulder shook. "Two days ago, he was still snuggling me and telling me I'm the best mother in the world. And now …" Her voice cracked. "I — I can't just sit here while he turns into one of those … things." She lifted her teary gaze to meet mine. "I'm his mother — Ican't let him die scared and alone."

My fists clenched, and I desperately wished I could storm back into Lady Valtru's home and show her exactly how I felt about her fucking stronghold.

How could she be so cold?

The woman swallowed and straightened her shoulders. "But I'm just a seamstress. I can't fight the wraiths on the trail there. You, though —" she looked over at Liam. "— well, I hopedyoumight help me get to him — help me …" — her voice trembled —"…be there at the end." Clearing her throat, she reached into her pocket and withdrew a small map. "It's only about an hour out of town, and on the way to your stronghold." She spread out the map, hands shaking. "In return, I can give you the information you're looking for."

The information —my heart leaped. "You know the intel?"