en's

rridor behind her. I turned back toward my father's desk, my jaw clenched. I expected anger; I g

to me carefully. This

s were piercing, evalu

medallion. That medallion she wears is no coincidence. It is ancient. It is forbidden. And it belongs to a past w

ing his voice until it see

approach her again-if you take even a single step close enough to catch her scent-you will lose

pty threat. I had seen my father mak

ck needs you. But an Alpha does not let outsiders-especially suspicious outsiders-weaken him. If you can not con

s clenched. I understand

air. Now, get out of my sight. And remember-keep you

sharp sensation tugged at my chest-a throbbing, a pull, something I couldn

dn't have looked. I shouldn't have cared. My father had been clear-dea

arrying me toward the

d vanished and that I could finally breathe. Nothing more. It wasn't because I

window and l

a pale, silvery light. Elara stood at the bottom of the steps, pausing to pull

en I s

ent. It emerged from behind the trees-a massive wolf, its coat black as night, its eyes gleaming faintly in the

wolf. A

was closing in fast. Any s

ke a physical blow: Stay away... or die. If I went out there, I was breaking every rule. I was fo

ust stand there

or, my heart hammering so hard it

ce, my face calm, my voice s

lassroom. I need to go get it b

sharp and suspicio

ice even, fighting every instinct that s

he gave a single nod. Go. And make it quick. And remem

t behind me, I broke into a sprint. I didn't know why I was doing this. I knew the price. I

n fear. It's stronger than my father. It'

ont doors into the col

ad low, shoulders bunched-ready to spring. Elara stood just a

ost. I just moved faster than I should have been able to-stra

olf raised its head. Its eyes didn't

it s