a's

omain, the night air was clear and strong with t

ere I had be

es. Laughter. Music. The sound of w

matic m

ell

face. They gave me not even a sidelong glance. Why woul

knew wh

ked. They had abandoned the

my hands

they would

ics crowded the courtyard. Torches illuminated the stone wal

I made my way

"The Alpha of Cresce

bout trade agreements

ll

r. My anger was trigg

rection of the big

manding attention. His piercing, calculating silver eyes sea

, I had

ss, pathetic partne

powerful. M

didn'

ntrol. I was simply another visitor tonight. I'd

, after

his head

his eyes.

aware

to the darkness. However, my h

e bond? Even now, cou

se caution. Killia

de of the courtyard. His attitude was opaque

, after

shifted. He

ils sligh

He noticed

round the throng,

ck, but it w

yes m

d at me for the first time

witne

e incredulity

hear the roar of his

gh him. He stepped f

hin. Urging h

his mouth.

meone s

lli

ted. A

d from Killian to me. Je

at me, and

didn't

twisted. "

s unable to. His fists were cl

eyes gr

lled. "Take the ro

d's voice echoed o

capture t

ened. Everyone's attention was on me,

ro

me chuckle. T

ed by my cloak. My muscles relaxed

er, K

king silver eyes. Confusion and unrefined feelings wer

as a

d himself yet, but

ned. It couldn't be

n't waiting for him

yes, which were full of

hear what she

reaction? Why hadn't he p

face, I raised my chin a little. "Is

Rogues are not en

ved, preparing their weapons. Ten or more

d maintained a comfortable stan

he had th

at I had t

avage with a scar over his cheek.

f the

ing those words, but I f

longs with Killian, but s

would n

breath. "I'll g

ey weren't accustomed t

forwar

. or p

. Someone in the

sed her blond hair over

fighter ma

en

ng was d

nctively as his blad

ccurate.

my sleeve as I ducked

m of s

m that

s bleeding throat as

nce let o

d my hood just enough for the

sed. This was not what

face we

voice tremb

ginning to

time to think

ir of guar

, avoiding the first one. His scream was brief because I

or's sword. I grabbed his wrist in mid

ry

y feet, he

taggered back. Their eye

wly. I was filled with t

for years. The shaky, feeble girl the

e Crimso

l knew

as still

lly to get to me, and hi

obile and

strid turned to face him. "Killian!

n't re

ook his ey

rward one

breath. He twit

The want. The

ed intact. He was be

are of my

en us, and there was no denying

He had no right

, I spoke

omised you I w

o... No, it isn't feasible.

er no at

and fully brush

ers g

ar

rl that they had abandoned.

retu

at I wanted, I was

vously. His voice w