Thor

I knew what defiance would mean. The image of the severed paw was seared into my brain. Slowly, like a puppet on a

feel the waves of irritation coming off him. He was annoyed by his own interest i

m when a sharp knock sounded

w growl rumbling in his chest. "What is it?"

said, his voice low and urgent. "It's about the herb I mentioned earl

redatory air vanished, replaced by the shar

able thing. He held out a small, black velvet pouch. Kaelen took it and opened the drawstring, tipping the

whisper. "Specifically engineered for high-ranking werewolves. It bypa

m, to compromise him, to make him a slave to his own biology. It was a coward's weapon. He thrust the po

flickered from me to his King, a calculating look in his grey e

single, dark eye

rd every word. "You haven't... touched anyone in two years. Your inner wolf rem

eyes became chips of arctic ice. "Zane. Mind y

ift, almost clumsy gesture. The black velvet pouch slipped from his grasp and fell to the floor, rolling under the edge of a heavy s

h was there, and if the King found it on me, he would assume the worst. A cold wave of d

glare on me, as if I were somehow responsible for the entire conversation. The flic

, pointing to the far side of the room. "Don't

sitate. I practically scrambled to the corner, pressing myself

appearing into the main bedchamber to cool

he spot where the pouch had fallen. I could see a corn

it. Aph

eta – whether by accident or design – had turned me into a suspect holdin

g need to survive. I glanced at the partially open bedroom door, t

The dried leaves inside felt brittle and sinister. I held my breath, listening for any sound from

fingers fumbling with the

re you

n stood in the doorway of the bedroom, a silk robe now covering him, his wet hair slicked