What The Alpha Broke

k when they opened the

nd my boots hit Blackthorn soil. As if the land itself reme

they weren't protecting me. They were watching m

eno

en, I laughed when my brother dared me to race him barefoot through the trees. Now, all I could picture w

ched as I k

are as I passed. One muttered something under his

ed away

dows that let no warmth in. It looked like a tomb. The banners still hung from the towers, st

w I am

stiffened when a woman step

thletic and p

e

arly years lurking behind Kael like a ghost desperate to be seen. She looked at me the wa

was smooth, but f

lackthorn Pack's clock out

I'll take you to th

ow th

she said. "A

ast her. "N

han I remembered. Candles lined the w

t of the elders, in front of

e kneel whi

ant nothing. That he'd never felt th

searched his eyes for e

er fo

into the council c

, arms crossed, golden eyes burning through

. His jaw looked like it hadn't relaxed in years. He wore Blackthor

g, not even g

t c

e of himself and stood ther

sed beneath my skin. Al

at it was

, voice low. "You're a

where I'm sup

t wasn't an agreement

outside, like she needed to be close in case

r me a seat. I d

ng the Northern Al

ially,

noffic

et his. "That depends

k. "You were p

. Just di

hed, but he s

between us

ike he didn't rec

o

him

what the year

sent you?" he

orward. "He

s a mi

t reach my eyes. "He s

ar near his temple-the one he didn't have when I left. His scent

diff

e," he asked, "or to finis

re you afraid I might suc

stare told me he wasn't af

more than if he

off the part of him that once loved me-t

I said, shifting my tone. "You a

to talks.

n't a ga

tter on my tongue.

atching. One wrong move and Thorne get

do you wan

ath hi

id my name li

Not in t

r's voice roaring, the council watching me like I

t day I'd nev

ing the same air again, w

urvive," I s

true.

bond pulsing under every breath. The council hadn't come i

tried to save it. I

ve the hall without an escort. You don't speak t

ind them what lo

Close enough that if I mo

r what it cost us the

at him. "Goo

s opened

oss the stone. He looked between us and frow

ing at me, "will sta

wait for m

ce. The conver

, Kael spoke again-so qu

wanted

ped wa

ted to say t

t turn

ouldn't have

n, I wa

he same guest quarters from when I was young. This one was smaller.

he chair and stood in

was sti

ed. He stil

would make me

I felt

sharper than before. My eyes colder. But under the s

eyes, trying

door creaked

ast, hands

wasn't

as L

idn't

shut the door, and l

s out of her mouth

to leave