ina

er of last night's punishment. My body throbbed with pain, every muscle tight with bruis

ates to keep me from cr

tching, always listening. One wrong glance, one wavering step, and it w

when a scent hit me like a

ari

Of all the people

hy. Not when her loyalty still leaned toward Cassian, or wors

dying my pulse. If I bolted, she'd know. If

voice carrying more concern

my expression. A smile would only raise

y echoing through the halls last night. His rage h

ng a few feet away. Her eyes flicked over m

red, exhaling heavi

ding her movements. Even after all his cruelty, Cassian demanded resp

that," I said quietly

, but the cautious loo

asked, her voice softer, lined

idn't have to. My si

you were going to be Luna, I was jealous. Thought you'd won the drea

asn't

behind closed doors, there was no fairy tale just s

afraid that if I s

ped to the ba

casually. Her gaze sharpened. "Seems

ipping the stra

I could keep control. But the tremor in my b

ng me too closely now. Suspicion

t no words came. Just a shallow gasp I

t happened

dawned in he

ould stop them, hot and fast, blur

ut instead of raising an alarm, her voice slid i

art. I'll tell anyone who asks that you went to the ma

me like a c

ce breaking with emotion.

a single, hard

t time for doubt or deceit,

link again, pouring everything I

y back. My legs moved before my brain could fully process it out the packho

passed me, caught up in their routines

eady, unhurried. Ev

oods, and the breath I'd be

and wild air, I felt something

ess, folded it quickly, and shoved it into my b

surre

tretching, bone snapping, my body res

g as I gave in to Blue, my wolf. The bruises

in my teeth, I

e and wind and something dangerously close to hope. Branche

prayers whether to the Moon, fate,

stay free. Give me the

the road would take

running and for the first time

this