L'S

beyond the tree line, som

Three seconds of controlled breathing. Three seconds of preten

nees hit

ht I was bowing my head to seal the alliance

was

d detonating i

tasted blood at the back of my throat, metallic and warm. My wolf

ave yo

oed inside me, r

smelled of smoke and pine resin. Wolves surrounded me, waiting

they had witnes

against my shoulder. Her touch was cold and carefu

she said softly, her voice cra

ess

felt po

t in front of rival delegates. Not in front of his warriors. Not wh

ard the forest wher

d not

red in my mind more

dismantled her in front of the entire pack. She ha

ity nearl

, their robes whisper

ecured," Elder Thorne murmured.

ngth

new what I h

s insignificant. They see a quiet girl raised at the e

w what I discov

t appeared on her spine the first t

study, blood pouring from her nose as she gripped my

ts the Silver Heir, the

d her what

or in her fading eyes and said

en immediate. The prophecy would have ignited like wildfire. Every rival Alph

become a target

ejecte

use she

e was too powe

gain, stronger this time. I staggered sligh

ing changed

light fl

ion of a second and shifted in

lv

art s

lt. The bond between us did not fade. It expanded. It surged

olf whispered, awe and

with her wolf. Gentle. Hesitant. No

ooding through the b

as r

. "Alpha, rogue scouts have been sighted near

rse th

felt

ough the trees then. It wa

in the clea

not belong to a

. Resonant.

ci

ed glances. Selene's finge

that?" she

rmly removed he

uietly, "is why

d across Elder Thorne'

she is the on

wer him. I di

es reshaping. Muscles tearing and reforming. Her scream r

t true transformation, they would either kill her or

would

toward th

It carried the full weight of command. "Seal the eastern border.

, "you cannot abandon the cerem

ked a

looked

care how i

r than politics. Sim

claw on her tonight, I w

smantle en

t heavier than the last, not because of doubt, b

ll hat

never for

k at you and

will b

she despises me for the rest

ne, the bond pulsed once

irl who stood in white

omething

ld was abou

my wolf burst free. The forest swallowed me whole a

ard

towar