I woke, but the fear was gone. Only heavy

hollow anymore.

tone walls. My side didn't scream when I shifted, someone

mbled from the shadows. "The mist ke

mories of the night came rushing back, the r

g messy over his forehead. No shirt. Scars crossed his ribs, shoulder, forearm ma

.. he was

ut because you know this man could break you in half and som

uction and shelter all at once. He looked like the boy from th

slow ste

elf. He froze instantly and raised

m not here t

spered, my vo

es softening just a fra

voice rising as the panic set in. "Kair

nto a low growl. He walked over and sat on a stone ledge across from me. "I had to stay

water. I took it with shaki

ros. I don't fea

is eyes flick down to my mouth just for a second then came

throat. "You shifted

ea

sed, voice softening. "Beautiful.

t I don't feel like a monster. I feel... weirdly okay. St

little, thinki

s an old prophecy that a Shadow Wolf will either save the packs or level them to th

. because of some ol

nod

so scared of what happens if he lets you go. T

t's this soft, quiet pull. Other tim

o," Kael said. "And why he'

el? Why the mist? Why did

hitch. He didn't look at me like the "scentless mutt" I'd been for tw

mile," he said. "I didn't just stumble acro

r w

leaned in just a little, his gold eyes burning with a dark, fam

. Silly me, thinking a man l

my ribs. "You want the throne?" I asked, my

d, a bitter shadow

hisper him onto the throne. That chair belongs to the strongest of the bloodline, Elara.

n he stole. I want the only thing he has left that makes him a King.

bond with Kairos anymore. She was looking

olf is so

the back of my neck, pulling me just an inch closer. "But I've been living in it for year

nough to look at him

angerous and compl

k of pure, electrical heat snapped between us. It was different from the bond with Kairos-this wasn't a heavy chain; it was a spark tha

m tightened a fraction too long, gold eyes

, Elara. He was just the

warm. He was real. And he was looking at me lik

thed, the realization hitt

w if I shoul

n my chest gave a vi

ir

ough the forest like a hurricane. He was searching for me, his possessiv

ethal and predatory. He didn't look scared; he looke

nce. "He feels another male near his mate, and his wolf is going fe

k to me, eyes

voice dropped, rough and certain. "And it

humb pressing just hard e

that he didn't just throw away a mate. He threw away his right to lead this pack. H