't sleep

anket in her room, replaying those w

rk chos

hadn't stopped pulsing since she heard the voice. She could

atching her

too loud. The fire in the hearth had gone o

.. that vo

ortress was quiet, too quiet. It felt like e

asn't

al stairwell near the w

de

he el

n a circle around a glowing map. The light flickered with tiny sy

ou

to give them privacy. Bu

wled one of the elders.

e still have a chan

s a t

Moonb

hat ancient is tied to balance. And balance demands a

sted. They weren't

iding what to

someone caught her scent befo

's voice was

show she'd heard anythin

taying behind. His face was unrea

be down here,"

to you," she snapped

fell bet

Her voice cracked. "The

're a

am

s the Alpha. Not as her protector. But as a m

ything happen t

't promi

rkened. "Wa

was colder there. More isolated. The wind cut sharp through the trees

d her tw

. "I thought you s

id. "But they need

hat, he became

p bled. Ryder didn't go easy on her not with words

her until

cked. He caught her leg mid-ai

hard.

he go

. And

knocked one of his

riefest momen

tte

shifted and he steppe

ch

pu

nstinct toward the w

e was

chi

d the scent of

into her ear ,

n't sa

ard the trees

y beside her, ey

s it?"

as tight. "We'

s, a shadow s

hu

wo

thing in

A smile that didn't be

heart d

cognized the f

as M

asn't hum