ctly how I remembered it and no

cent of cedar and mountain water, crisp and clean in a way that made my wolf want to run through the forest until my lungs burned. But the security had intensified dramatically. We pa

t Raven was bringing eight of us directly into the heart of

tting on

me despite my suggestion that she hang back with the others. Loyalty looked good on her, even when it was misplaced. "Do you see h

s had drained me more than I wanted to admit, and the two-hour hike into Shadowfang territory hadn't helped. My legs felt like they were made of lead, and the si

're fine when we'

act

of him screamed Alpha, from the way other wolves automatically moved out of his path to the subtle dominance in how he carried himself. It should have been intimidating

nd my heart race in wa

om stone and timber in a style that managed to be both rustic and imposing. Smaller cabins dotted the surrounding area, housing for pack members and visiting wolve

d better t

ng before moving to the rest of my pack. "You'll be housed in the eastern cabins. They're normally reserved for visiting

s had to be Finn Ashford, Raven's second-in-command and childhood friend. I'd heard stories about him over the years, mostly about hi

put me on edge. People weren't this nice without wanting something. "We've got

ge shot me a questioning look, clearly torn between sticking with me and getti

is warriors. The sun had nearly set, painting everything in shades of orange and purple, and somewhere in the distance I could

en what tha

reful. "The healer will want to examine you

tasted bitter. "I

en us. Something flickered in his expression. Hurt, maybe. Or frustration. "You collapsed back

suddenly cold despite the mild evening air. "You're the

nded animal. Which wasn't far from the truth. "The bond is damaged, not severed. I feel everything. Your pain, your exha

venomous. "You deserve t

tance. "I know I do. But you don't. You've never deserved any of

d broken. "But you still haven't explained why. Why did you reject me, Raven? If you're

years of agony. "Because Thaddeus Crimson told me he'd kill your entire family if I claimed you. Your mother, your c

bed for the nearest tree to stead

e you vulnerable was to break you first." Raven's hands were shaking, actual trembling in his fingers that he couldn't

e and anger and hurt, all built on a foundation that

times. "I wrote you letters. Every week for five years. Explaining, apologizing, begging you to understand. I never sent them b

bly, the male who'd destroyed me had done it to save me. It would mean reconsidering five years of carefully constr

"I don't want your letters or your protection or your guilt. I w

will come back, and next time I might not get there in time. And the cur

or in the clearing went tense. Raven's head snapped toward the sound,

ssion grim. "Alpha, we have a problem. There's

ashed gold. "Wh

ression. "Thaddeus Crimson has formally declared his intention to claim Lyr