Ston

volved around the tiny, demanding center of the universe that was Elara. I spent hours carving a small crad

I'd bought at the market. My wolf, a silent observer in my mind, watched the proces

the peaceful quiet. My head sho

e?" It was Arthur's voi

r the cradle, completely hiding Elara from view. Then I rose to my full height and positioned m

too revealing for the cool mountain air. She had a predatory look in her hard, cal

er of possessive, lethal rage, hotter than anything I had f

, my Luna's sister. She's heard tales of your... prowess. I came

She stepped around Arthur and walked directly toward me, her hips swaying. She was bro

ng. My wolf recoiled, a disgusted snarl echoing

st. A smug smile touched her lips, and she reached ou

and closing on empty air. "Don't touch me," I said. M

ned in shock. It was clear she

his neck. "Now, now, Serilda is just being friendly. About the t

ocus was on the woman. She was standin

. "I'm not interested.

ssal, the order to leave, was another. Her face

ly high and shrill. "You're nothing! A broken, wolfless Ro

er arm. "Serilda

id. The threat she posed, however unintentional, to the one p

s command. It was older, wilder, the air itself growing heavy, thick with a silent, crushing menace. It was

e crushing weight of my aura pressed down on them. It was a

orting in fear. The predator had bec

as the sound of grinding stone, each wor

terror, practically dragged the whimpering Serild

as they disappeared into the trees. "Why didn

r that still carried to my ears. "Didn't you feel th

st my ribs. I looked down at my hand. I had been holding a piece of wood for t

lost c

Elara was still fast asleep, her face peaceful, her tiny

or ho

enough. As long as the world could wa

ded w