CHAPTER 4 ARESAfter that beast woman swept down and grabbed the wolf from Aurora’s arms, I took Aurora’s hand and lifted her to her feet, glancing around the strange forest to see if anyone else was watching us. Something felt off. My gaze focused on a flock of those half-woman, half-bird creatures, who stared at us from the highest trees in the forest, their beady red eyes narrowed at us and their feathers covering their mouths, as if they were gossiping. Hands balling into fists, I let out a ferocious growl so loud that the trees and branches shook. Adrenaline pumped through my system, and I refused to cower back. Creatures in the underworld might’ve been terrifying, but I had a mate and pack to protect. The flock took flight and followed the woman through the air and away from here.