I stepped out, wrapping myself in a towel. The liv

o find her asleep, but the b

hroat tightened. If she'd gone out, with pollen still

It looked different now, with a leather cord strung t

r in my hands. It looked like something a faerie might sell, a

my dressing gown. The weight of it felt wrong,

my room, a knock at t

-she wouldn't

led, my voice shar

rep

that protected the house. They'd hold, b

ere, then," I muttere

e again, loud

pped, my pat

A deep

rowning. "W

Gundahar from

d. What the hell

p but staying silent. I hesitated f

mine. His gaze flicked past me, and his express

a place like this?" h

ning right now," I said q

unning a hand through his hair

g at the weasel shifter across the street who had cracked h

ed. "Wait here.

deepening as he glanc

racing. An alpha's son. Here. My wolf nudged m

y bun. My reflection in the mirror startled me-bright eyes, flus

the doo

his features sharp with something that looked like pity or discomfort. But whe

o take

for anything, let alone something that felt almost... cordial. Dolph didn't know my history, though. H

warmth was a stark contrast to the chill of the

ck. People lingered outside or stood framed in doorways, their gazes following us. This wasn't a pl

ral. "Interesting place," he said, his voice low. "From the way m

re, but we're all in our little corners. Su

tumbled out clutching an empty bottle. His wife, Chubby Cheryl, stormed a

is nose. "Why are you living here? Among

room handle and took a swing at her husband. Someone else-a smaller shifter

ds sticking in my throat. "The beta and hi

owed. "The alpha

with scars down their backs, th

illage of Lunaris. We crossed it, weaving through a narrow alley until the air shifted, the scent of poppies filling the space. The

ear the ward lines, the

e elevated your statu

I echoed, my

st. "Why didn't Beowulf reloca

on the horizon. "Maybe he didn't understand our ways. Comi

ly truth with someone who'd only just arrived in my world. Beowulf had swept in, killed Alpha

Alpha Mondo's mate spread a vicious rumor about her having syphilis. People latched onto it, ig

yl

oice. She was jogging toward us, h

asked, his tone

. "The girl from two

child. Her father had been Dad's administrator before that fateful night when Alpha Mondo attacked. The

towering frame. Her wide, eager smile lit up her youthful

anging the door

es sparkling with unrestrained ex

She's intrigued

ing toward the man at m

urst out, her words rushing together. Then,

in charming and effort

ou up on Supernet." Realizing what she'd admitted, she slapped a hand over her m

, she turned and bol

y. "She's lively. An

parents are Neutrals

ed a brow.

live longer than humans, but their magic never... blooms

htfully. "We have a few Neutrals in my pack.

e taught that Neutrals c

ention fully on me. His intense ga

ed, suddenly

ut me?" His voice dropped, lo

caught off guard.

His words carried a weight that made my pulse stutter. "It's never happene

etched between us. "I don't know what to sa

ers off you?" he asked,

o one's warned anyone. I'm just

g gaze searched mine, and it felt like he was tryin

," I said, gesturing ahead. "Too much time aro

the odd statement, Do

said, "Your heart races ev

. "I hadn'

ve history

rustration bubbled up. "Do you always a

a hand gently on my arm. "Our shaman is preparing a ritual to match

ing Logris? The thought sent a flicker of hope t

mother can c

small smile tugged at his lip

d me," I said quickly, though the s

d softly, her un