A'S

the fear sparked by Rylan's taunt: "Care to join him, Linc? Or do I need to call you something else?" His two henchmen-massive seniors with predatory eyes-stood beside him, fists clenched, poised to leap. The pendant around my

but reason urged caution-one wrong move might shatter my façade. Jasper's eyes met mine, filled with fear yet d

oming from a nobody of a no-name pack." He tilted his head, his blue eyes sparkling with mali

ut Jasper's shaky voice interrupted. "Leave him be, Rylan," he said, wiping

im back. He stumbled, astonished, and I positioned myself protectively between Jasper an

. His scent-a mix of steel and frost-made my wolf recoil. "I'll give you credit for bravery, but it won't m

sty book-the Moon's Judgment. A full-moon trial that could unveil my true nature. I forced a s

through the tense air. My wolf whimpered, that instinctive mate tug resurfacing amidst the chaos, and I cursed her timing. Elias stood at the

an replied, his tone smooth but filled

g he wouldn't catch the faint trace of my true scent still lingering from the courtyard. "Friendly chats don't leave

past me, he leaned in to whisper menacingly, "This isn't over, Linc. The full moon is c

d, softer now, but his scrutiny made my skin prickle. That tug in my che

to his feet. My voice was raspy, yet m

dealt with worse." But his grin was weak, and guilt ch

inc, we need to talk." His tone was firm, leaving no room for discussion. My st

the air thick with the scent of chalk and ancient books. He closed the door and leaned against a desk, arms cross

uess I'm an easy target." My wolf bristled at the fib, but I couldn't review Rylan's

pping closer. "I saw you in the Trials, outsmarting traps that

ng, that mate tug urging me toward him, and my wolf pleaded for trust. But I couldn't

won't protect you if Rylan's right about you hiding something." He paused, his voi

the pendant, my father's fading strength. But honesty wasn't an option I could

expect me to clean up your messes forever." He turned to leave

ered a thanks and rushed out, the weight of his scrutiny closing in. Elias was da

e on his lip but his grin returned. "You owe me, Linc,"

per. "I'm sorry," I said since

n't get me killed, alright?" His gaze flickered to the book tucked un

oon's Judgment. "Rylan's up to something," I said, lowering my vo

im," he asserted, as if it were that s

t held me back. "Thanks," I said, my

eplied with a grin.

I needed to uncover who was backing him, and quickly. The full moon was just two weeks away, and my pendant was already faltering. I tucked the b

ned, my wolf on high alert. "Linc, open up," Kade's voice called, low and urgent.

e frame, his dark hair tousled, eyes sharp. "We n

g. "I'll check out the library," he said wit

nd my pendant warmed, urging me to remain vigilant. "Rylan's orchestrating something massive," he

t had slipped once, and now Rylan had allies, a dangerous ritual, and a vial that could undo me. I opened my mouth, ready to

ed, and amid the chaos, Rylan stood, that cold smile plastered on his face. He clutched another v

gripping my arm. "What