way when they noticed me watching. The pity in their eyes was unbearable. I kept walking, ignoring the burning ache in my chest and the tears threatening to fall. Just a few hours ago, I had believed I was the luckiest woman in Blackwood Pack. The Moon Goddes

ever, even the familiar woods felt different. Empty. Cold. Lonely. Much like the future stretching out before me. I stopped beside a large oak tree and wrapped my arms around myself. For the first time since leaving the temple, I allowed the tears to fall. They slipped silently d

searching the shadows between the trees. The forest had gone unnaturally quiet. No birds. No insects. Nothing. Fear crept down my spine. Before I could react, three large figures stepped out fr

ke we've found something valuable tonight." The others laughed. Panic surged through me. I knew I couldn't outrun them

enaline fueled every movement, but I was badly outnumbered. A powerful blow slammed into my side and sent me cra

d forced me to look at him. "Any las

wl shook t

ed to vibrate. The rogue immediately released me and

I saw him. My heart skipped painfully. A massive black wolf emerged

One rogue was thrown across the clearing before he even had time to react. Another barely avoided Kael's claws. The Alpha fought as a storm unle

ce re

illuminated his face, revealing cuts and bruises from the fight. For several seconds, neither of

me," I final

looke

did you

w tigh

stretched

he met

n't stand by and

wanted to believe he cared. Part of me wanted an explanation. Wanted a

enly changed. Every muscle in his body became tens

s it?"

front of me

echoed throug

ally fo

od ran

shadows and surrounded us. The leader lo

knew they hadn'

twenty stood among the trees, their dark cloaks blending into the night. The leader's smile sent a chill down my spine. It wa

y, I took a

iately mov

ction caught

his broad shoulders blocking me from their view. It was such a natural mov

mo

er notic

ile wi

ejects his mate in public, yet here

eath

a

ng heavily

ed figures exchange

ssion darken

," he

in his voice

ader l

ll this way to le

us silenc

ly. For one brief moment, I saw something f

e

aid for

for

began to wonder if Kael had been hiding some