ed like old ghos

ritory, her boots pressed into damp earth. The trees whispere

e trees. Same cold. Same

asn't the

anym

napped b

ually," came a voice smooth, low, and

inch. Of cour

a

crossed, jaw tight, with a confused expression, e

I figured you'd have t

been avo

ng," she replied, v

u came back..

o do that," sh

st slightly. His eyes dropp

ed it to happ

s laugh. "Funny. You made i

know the f

n the eye. You didn't question the lies you swallowe

were a danger

was something o

ep forward. Sh

len

"You don't get to say my n

said. "That night. When yo

ed. "Maybe now you kno

l my mate,"

d. "And I don't wan

an just sever so

houlder. "Three words. One truth.

e space between th

ally, his voice break

replied, steady as steel. "You le

s like he was looking for the version of he

meaning to

cut through the air like

uch

ne f

se. "What the hell

es, tall and sharp like he

a grin at Selene. "We haven't met p

. "You don't

here I

t look at Kael again. His gaze

o speak w

eyes. "I'm not in th

smile tilted. "You're not safe i

y protection,"

as that before or after

ted, surprise fla

rward. "You have no

amusement. "You let power scare you. You let politics blind you.

mate," Kae

oved unwort

"You don't owe him anything. But you owe yourself the chance to

stared

e you of

No pack rules choking you. Just... spa

nk I nee

ve been caged

ween them. "Don'

s to command,

fli

either of you," sh

y. "My offer stands

smoke, he vanish

her. "You can

one," Selene said.

icken. "I mad

smile. "And now you

e walke

idn't lo

er senses prickling. The air was c

ery hair on he

ing wa

stirred

ift. Bare

tu

hind her. Not

tor's stillness and a gleam in his

" he said, his voi

dn't a

o you," he continued.

aws sl

smi

said. "I'm here to offer...

t inter

widened. "Because the rea

lu

a

nishing into mist bef

er heart,

o

woods.

ath cam

fe. No

al

at was

r