an!

king through his shirt from where Dorian's blade had hit. The silver glowed

ng over Ethan's body. "The 'chosen one.'

side. She dropped to her knees again, her hand pressed against the d

d, squatting in front of her. "All that lo

ng. "You're afraid of him. That's why yo

at. "You think I fear a child who didn't even know he was a wolf? I

ch of his fingers. Dorian didn't see it. Lina's e

you want. He's gone." But he wasn't. A low, deep growl echoed th

to sizzle... then close. The blade refused itself, sliding

e warm brown Lina had seen before. They b

m thick with power. Dorian stumbled back, shock

muscles increased. His face expanded slightly as the wolf form crept over h

voice lower, broken, edged with

. An accident that never should've lived." Ethan tilted his h

. The sound of bone snapping echoed. Dorian screamed and dro

ed it and landed a hit straight to his gut. The Alpha stumbled

helped her up. She leaned on him, wincing. "Yo

it's... kind of cool." There'

s here? You're marked now. Every pack will know. Every Alpha. Yo

en move. "Then

edge of the forest. His eyes opened as he

elter." "There's an old temple," Ronin said quick

ntains, Lina was shaking. "I can't..." she said softly. "Go on without me." "Not happening,

cave. Stone images lined the door.

moonlight trapped in the walls. Ethan laid Lina down

p. But not fatal. If she rests..." "She needs m

eneath the temple. Moon-blessed. If

ng Ronin's directions. He found the spring... glowing w

d to her eyes. She breathed slow

She looked at him. "You came

g between them. But then Lina turned her head. "We can

ood." Ronin nodded. "You're not wh

But my mind's still catching up." Ronin sat beside him.

o Ronin did. About Ethan's parents. About how

him, ran across the country, hiding him under new names, new places. And how the prophecy sa

mething more." Ethan looked at the fire. "I don't want to rule. I just want to stop this." Lina

en no one else did," she said.

sat in silence for a while. Then Lina asked, "Do you think... D

As a club. If he finds out I tried to flee, he'll use him against me." Ethan's eyes d

e paused. "Y

........

t n

p. He stood at the edge of the spring, wa

pped up. "Who's there?" The water began to g

your bloodline is the key..." Then a figure emer

you were born to break the curse. But you are no

He turned to call for Ronin... Only to f

nding over him. Lina's voice screamed

lled the hall. The enemy had come. And som