r how many times I told myself it meant nothing, I couldn't

knew I

day, I av

as quiet, yes, but not with fear-more like reverence. People greeted one another as equals. Even the chil

ee

t feel free

over a table, organizing bundles of her

ithout looking up.

that supposed t

. But it means your wolf's waking up. An

elieve that.

Sit. You're going to

ot a h

ve to be. Jus

r a while. The scent of dried rosemary and cru

"What do you know

sed. "Yo

hing. Someth

to a whisper. "Y

ed up

e twine of an herb bundle. "Not everyone sees i

dn't co

ecy?" I asked.

ine. "In Crescent Hollow, th

ran th

ded from the south tower. Sharp. Two

o her feet.

d before my mi

weapons drawn. Guards locked the outer gates, and warriors

ucien stood like a moun

jaw clenched. "You

elpless,"

e remained firm. "No, you're n

nk I can just ignore it? A

er, a figure emerged

on

a

er-gray, with scars on his cheek th

ce shifted. "

thern territories did. Merrik was Alpha of the Hollow Fangs-a

eet from the gate, han

g words, not w

spond. He simply

till too noble fo

t?" Lucien asked

wept the crowd-

eath

all to hear. "A rejected she-wolf. One who left a bloo

my protection

ny broken things, Lucien. Sooner or

step forward

ee nights. With a delegation. If she's still h

and vanished

ll over t

ds balled into fists. "Get ever

y, I stepped toward hi

is the world we live in. Where a

if I

terrupted, "they'll f

oat ti

didn't ask for this, Kaia. But

t ch

op run

t, I coul

e forest where Merrik had disappeared.

ed. Run before t

ice-softer, de

knowing. I could feel the way the moon pulled at the blood in my v

n was

g that I'd forgotten how t

g, I found him

the moon-carved pedestal, th

er," I sai

expression unre

urpris

ve you might

like the oracles. 'You are who you

s not nonsense when the wor

lver blade from the tab

as a seer. She believed the moon chose its wa

t, inscribed with lunar symb

," Lucien continued. "And told me

ou giving

ary showed you what

tether-like holding it connected me

I won't hide you. But I also won't use you a

t thundered

now who I

s time to

escent Hollow warriors. Lucien had granted me access to the armory, and I'

ur bodies ached. B

this

in my life, I was

prep

return in t

no longer be the gi

wolf who chos