lock on my chamber door. I'd been lying in the bed Ronan claimed was mine now, staring at the ceiling, listening to the forest beyond

ip through pine, snow, and something acrid, like regr

taller than me but slight, wrapped in a black cloak that swallowed him whole. Only the faint glow

around the fur blanket, ready to bolt. I'd learned

ept his eyes on the floor. "Yo

its way up my throa

he weight of fear pressing down every

tuttered. "Why

e not the only one trapped here. Ronan - he's not what you t

skin burned hot with rage. "You think I don't know that? You think I wanted this bond?" I

key from his pocket, fingers trembling. "They run under

picion gnawing at me. "

ouldn't. But it's your only chance. Once the dawn comes, he's g

ted being bound hated that our power was a leash,

spered as a pup huddled by the fire. Soren led me through a trapdoor beneath the hearth in the den

nels stank of earth and decay - a grav

ed it to crumble at my touch. "Through here. It'll ta

with the urge to shift and run un

s no place for me out there. I'll cover yo

queezing it so hard h

reaming into the silence. For one heartbeat, I looked back - at the de

n I

scalp. My breath echoed off the stone, too loud, too human. I needed to shift but no

rged. Before he f

n, so sharp, it almost hurt. Snow swirled around my boots, my breath streaming

y wolf h

ther as I dropped to all fours. My senses exploded the scent of pine

ra

host, the forest a blur of silver and shadow. The bond tugged at me like a hook bu

the night behind me, my

fou

My lungs burned, my heartbeat a frantic drum. I leapt a fallen log, skidded dow

relentless. It

f's ears pinned back. She smelled him before she saw

k shadow lunged from the trees, slamming into my side. I yelped,

ing me to the forest floor skin agains

nlight, his fangs bared. "Do you real

gh my bones as I slammed my fist

above my head. His breath steame

nder him, snarling. The bond fla

ed, pupils blow

is face. "I'd

ing my jaw, my neck, the pulse h

but in hunger. It was betrayal and l

till. So

th. Snow drifted from the branches

I want this? You think I chose this bond? Fat

ing the raw edge in his

pressing his forehea

but only enough to remind me

again, softer this time

ith all the strength I had left. I

spat. "A king who cag

ling into his eyes. "And you're a fool w

her, two wolves circ

t, a lone wolf howled and t