The dream was always the same. Soledad, his mate, dying in his arms, her lifeblood staining the forest floor. Five years. Five years of waking to that agony, a blatant reminder of his failure. Blade, an Alpha, one of the strongest in the north, yet unable to protect the one person who mattered.

He opened his eyes, sweat trickling down his forehead, the vast, dark forest mirroring the emptiness inside him. He was alive, but worse than dead. Soledad was gone, and he was left with the crushing guilt.

Today, he had a mission: find the witch of the Red Mountain. Alpha Stone had hired him, but Blade had his own agenda. He wanted to speak to Soledad one last time. Or perhaps, the witch could end his suffering, take his life, and lead him to her.

He rose, his wolf, Rage, a restless growl in his mind. He ignored it, just as he ignored the phantom scent of plum-colored hair and soft whimpers from another dream, a new one, a disturbing one. He had to cool down, clear his head. The sound of running water beckoned.

He pulled off his clothes, letting the crisp autumn air hit his skin. The sound of a waterfall grew louder, accompanied by an intoxicating scent—frosted forest and cinnamon. It was unusual, but calming. He reached the small lagoon, the water strangely warm, steaming in the chilly air.

Just as he was about to step in, a small form emerged from beneath the water, screaming. Time stopped. His eyes locked with hers—dark plum hair, a naked form, a goddess. And in that instant, a bond snapped within him. His senses came alive. It was her. The woman from his dream. His second chance mate. The Goddess had given him another.