treeline, eyes fix

s, deep woods, and hidden paths guarded by old magic. But he

ones who had hurt her wou

ft moss, her hair still damp from the bath. The moon caught

eyes were brighter. Her steps more certain. And whe

she said softly. "A

. "That's no dream. Tha

en looked down

d. "She pushed up through the pain.

His fingers slid between hers, and something cl

spered. "But she's scared. Not

he said. "I

to his. "You'd stay

ked and burning if it mea

allowe

terrupted them. A howl.

napped toward

," he g

"Three intruders. Circle perimeter breach. Northeas

ed. They were tes

y k

mber. "Stay out of sig

stepping close

e not

e," she snapped

e him - not at her, but a

"Stay close. A

un anymore

ck fur and fury, her only halfway, her eyes g

the hard way: The Alpha's mate wasn't a