ra

my bedroom floor. I was sitting by the small fireplace, bru

ers filling the frame. His scent, a heavy musk of

ders today," he snapped, steppi

wooden brush through my

veryone. Do you have any idea how

ied to force an unwilling female

s a high-ranking Beta warrior." He stepped closer, his tone softening into what he probably thought was a comfo

ed over me. I set the brush down o

rother, you are more than wel

he patronizing lecture dying instantly on his lips. He

bloody juices still weeping onto the wood. It was Lyra's favorite meal after a hunt. Warriors needed heavy, raw meat to fuel their fast metabolism an

ftovers, thinking he was be

bed. I opened it and pulled out a heavy, carved wooden box. I wa

y brother asked,

it," I

of jagged wolf teeth, and a heavy, fur-lined combat cloak.

ing them," I

sive. That cloak is mad

t. "And the teeth scratch my collarbones." I gestured to the m

s, a complicated mix of guilt

ake the two hunting hounds you tied behin

ine between us?" he demande

oking him dead in the eye. "I am not Lyra. I d

silence, thick with unspoken things. M

ce tight. "The Alpha King, Silas, is a butcher. He rules with blood and silver." S

," my brother continued. He picked up the box and the tray of meat. "I will arrange for you to s

ut, the heavy door cli

iet room. Meeting the t

own me that moment by accident. But she had not shown me what followed. The King's gaze in my dream held no warmth-only the cold, assessing stare of a predator deciding whether something was prey or merely

ice in the dim light. Let him come. I would give