A'S

ugh the crowd of Silverclaw students, their voices a constant reminder of my place-or lack of it. The stranger's words echoed in my head: You don't belong here, Ironfang. And I'm going to

grateful for his familiar face in this sea of predators, and slid into the seat beside him. My wolf was restless, clawing at my ribs, and I wasn't sure if it was the stranger's threat or the m

," Jasper said, eyeing me over his glasses

m about the stranger, not without risking questions I couldn't answer. Jasper was a frien

u caught Professor Elias's eye. Not sure if that's

probing questions about Ironfang-they weren't random. He suspected something, and that tug

to the hall's entrance, and his grin

olled out of a fight-or a bed. The crowd parted for him, his presence a storm that silenced whispers. His eyes found mine across the room

ered. "Ever since you mouthed off to Br

a bully-he was a puzzle, his warnings laced with something I couldn't

r way to a nearby table. His buzzcut gleamed under the lights, and his glare locked on me like a missile. "Enjoying

uldn't afford a scene, not with my pendant already strained. "Keep dreaming, Bryce," I s

sharp voice cut through before he could lunge. "Sit down, Mr. Harlow." Elias stood at the facul

a beat too long, and that tug flared again, hot and disorienting. I looked away, my che

gn of him, but his scent-sharp, like steel and frost-lingered in my memory, a ghost I couldn't shake. I needed answers

other up over card games and boasts. The room was all dark wood and leather, the air thick with testosterone

d. His smirk was infuriating, but his eyes were sharp, like he was peeling back my laye

ing my arms. "Just not i

u've got a mouth on you, newbie. Most guys would'v

er and wildfire-clouding my head. "My deal's surviving," I said

e, maybe, or respect. "Maybe I like a challenge," he said,

I said, turning away before he could see the flush creeping up my neck. His chuc

llar, my breath fogging in the cold, and tried to piece it together. The stranger, Elias, Kade-they were circling me, each a different kind of threat. My father

Kade, not Elias, but the stranger. Tall, lean, his face sharp and unyielding, like a blade hone

here." He stepped closer, his eyes glinting in the moonlight. "Ironfang

my gut. "You don't know me," I said,

into his jacket, pulling out a small vial that glowed faintly, its contents swirling

ur little disguise is gone." He took another step, the

Lina's-flicker through. His nostrils flared, and a cruel smile spread across his face. My wolf

orking the vial. "Tell me,

t. A hand grabbed his wrist, twisting hard, and the vial flew, shattering against the stone.

y buckled. Kade. His eyes blazed, his grip iron, and for once

Kade? You'll regret that." He vanished into the night

ay, Linc?" he asked, softer now, but the air b

aint trace of my real scent slipped through. Kade's eyes widene

oser, his voice low, confuse