the pack slowly opened his eyes. His breath hitched he felt so

t deep within the underground sanctuary. His eyes were filled with wariness and concern

e of his trusted followers. "Immedia

into the shadows, moving silently to

is hand away from Aria. His eyes were lost, unfocused.

ic

l tingling from that strange warmth. But her mind found no answer. Sh

d the door shut. He stood there, breathing heavily. His

It can'

The elders would scorn him. The pack would question his leadership. He, the newly crowned Alpha, would be seen as weak boun

direct his fury. At himself? At Aria? Or at t

not with love. With hatred. A mask to cover the pain of losi

y between the trees. The elder's loyal follo

e forest mist. As he neared the tower, his

ows careless,

amiliar scent greeted him, not wolf, not blood. Human. He crept toward one of the rooms. The do

before he vanished into the shadows. Aria recoiled, her heart pounding.

der's underground lair, the

mate is human," h

several moments. Then his

ed. Before her presen

idn't send an assas

Or Rowan. Or any of the guards. It was an old man in a dark cloak.

ou," he sa

danger she didn't understand

g." He leaned in slightly. "Kael is bound to you. And

came. The elder stepped closer, whis

He won't even be able to protect

Her eyes locked on the door that shut with a cruel finality. Whoever

inished arranging the night patrol. As

ldly. "What are you doing in

like a priest who knew e

Alpha. Perhaps hoping

eyes. His body t

peeling back his very thoug

, but a flicker of recognition. He

n, Elder. I hav

ugh, but his eyes we

"She'll return at the full moon. Pureblood. The ideal

htened. But he

hide the bond from

from the elders. We feel it.

remained rigid, fists clenched

as he walked off, "you'll have to ch

down, head bowed. For the first time in h

e conversation from outside. She had only caught fragments, but it was enough. Kael

or certain: She was a danger to Kael. Whether because o

still on edge. But it wasn't Kael. It was Rowan, ca

l make me sit here and watch

a accepted the food in silence. Rowan sat across the room, back against the w

... a so

prised. But his gaze soft

if someone had asked him to explain the s

will call to each other, even before you meet. When you do, your b

r. Kael's touch that night. The strange spark that made

efully. "Did you feel

his eyes. Then gave a fain

as just

ying. But he didn't press her.

ant to talk...

re in a room that now felt even smaller,