s on me before

the late afternoon sun filtering weakly through the trees. Moonveil territory h

felt lik

el his presence like a steady anchor. He hadn't said much since last night. Neither had I. So

rs.

thing wo

e stream," I murmured,

o replied. "I'

dn't

er with every step. This spot had been my escape long before the rejection. Long before M

lt at the edge, dipping my fingers into the cool water. It

tree, arms crossed, eyes alert

d a guard," I

"Too bad. You

t smiled

overhead. The forest breathed around us. Somewhere deeper within

Lycan

land itself had shifted to accommodate h

scar

s but because when he'd looked at me last

t was te

ered, mostly to myself. "The b

't answer

ul. "Sometimes things don't end j

d. "I don't want

kn

e you reckless. It made you

Pack, change us

om my dress. "I should go back b

ed immediately.

k toward the p

there, block

yes glittering with poorly concealed excitement. Mira herself looked calm, c

where?" she

placing himself squarel

him, unimpressed. "Thi

oncerns me,"

n his arm. "It's f

I'd just volunteered

"See? Even she knows

to lift my chin.

d, clearly annoye

d. "What makes an Omega like you

I replied honestly. "And

of her frien

o sn

them. "Careful," she warned him

umorless. "Funny. I was ab

ped tight, electr

mall agai

how it alw

I said quietly. "I just

ding my space. "You don't

ent the Lycan King looked a

n't ask

ly. "You didn't. That'

ser and whispered, "Do you really thi

ruck deeper t

bbing Mira's wrist. "Touch

eyes flashing. "Y

," he repl

aws would come out. That blood

Mira l

it lasts, Seris," she said.

, her friends following aft

lt colder once

my legs sud

der his breath.

rrupted. "You

ed into every line of his face. "Y

replied. "Tha

of pretendi

moonlight crept through the window. My chest ached not with the s

I'd lost. For th

d that never

l, A quiet, fright

s coming t

heo. N

en a Ly

, I would have to learn

my skin pulsed faintly,

hand to it,

the dark. "Don't make this

on said

within Bloodmoon territory, something anci

I didn't k

no long