The true heir." Ethan's breath caught. The room

ou just say

words frantic but low. "Keep your v

hen go quiet!" He pushed himself up on the bed, groaning as

There's a prophecy. You were born into it. You were supposed to die as a baby-

lot because of his job." "No," Lina said,

rld tilt again. "

te." His laugh was dry, bitter. "Fate? Lina, I'm nobo

ious. "And yet, you survived the pit.

our dog is waking up." Ethan shook his

back." He looked down at his shaking hand

t at first." Silence stretched between the

e did, her voice was barely a whisper

scars. The tired eyes. The way her jaw st

d they d

reached out, unsure, then gently touched her hand. "I

ful. Weak. I loved someone once. He was a boss. He used me. Left

t sank. "Wha

"Said a traitor didn't deserve love.

s all I want from you." Ethan holded his jaw. "No. I wa

You're not strong enough yet." "Then help me be st

Ethan stood, shielding

the arm. "Alpha wants her." "No!"

m. Ethan hit the wall hard, pa

er out. Her eyes met Ethan's one la

mself up, breathing heavily. "No. No,

t the door, yelling until h

. Lina stood tall, hiding her fear.

didn't move. "He's just a boy." Dorian laughed

you want,

hair behind her ear. She fought

And I want him broken." "Why? B

fit to rule. He's weak. Confused. And I will

ina said coldly. "Oh really?" "H

that?" She leaned close, eyes an

iled with blood on her lips. Dorian growled. "Tak

away, she thought only o

..........

old wolf entered. He didn't look like the others

ed up. "Wh

ed your father. And now... I'm here to tra

s heart twisted. "Where is she?" "

ore you reach the hall. Help her by livi

ay. What should I do?" Ronin threw him

mercy. "You think your enemies will wait while you whine about your bruises?

er than his fear. When he fell from tirednes

o listen to the words of his wolf. To

h. He dreamt of Dorian's cold smile. He dreamt of h

.............

week

ding. "You've come far. But th

'm not ready." "You never will be," Ronin

, irritated. "Yes, you do," Ronin said s

e cell, hugging his knees. He said, "Why

ext m

eams. Ronin rushed in, with eyes wide. "They're moving Lina to the e

here's no going back." "I wasn't plannin

racing in his chest. He dodged guards,

d the pit by Dorian himself. Ethan di

little rat awakens." Ethan ran

and you can't do a damn thing about

ched. He fell to his knees, gasping. "Let. He

d. "No... it can't be..." Golden eyes flared. F

spots in his fur and a growl that shook the earth. Lina's eyes

illed. Lina screamed as a guard stabb

lunged at him with a glowing blad

erything went black. An