ya'

became indiffere

n the victory of my survival instead. Waking up each dawn under the frayed blanket they grudgingly provided? Victory. Standing back up o

oticed. Not k

hey no

ething colder, more watchful. Wolves understood persistence. Even

one calle

ritiques sharper, but he never struck harder than necessary. He corrected my form when I faltered, threw salves at my fee

mock," Dante said after.

'ours' meant to

hing me and correcting my form as I struggled through

m tr

else." His gaze flicked toward the shadowed balcony where

re was only one person in Crimson Pack

ze like a steady pressure against my skin at every practice and sparring s

uring, calculat

till weak judging by their standards. But I didn't fall and I didn't run. And

ery little movement. My hands shook as I unwrapped bandage from my bruised knuckles. My ribs ached beneath layers of bandages from a

since I wasn't dead,it made

against the barracks d

r than I could bet,"

money on m

ot money. Garric

tting ag

back up the first time Sera l

I tried to sm

n't learn faster." His gaze soften

ched. "

eatening, just assessing. "You fight like someone waiting fo

't want to b

gers. "Here, survival isn't cruelty. You're either feare

lowed.

out heat. Like it was just fa

he Moon Stone

ath claws, of laughter chasing me through halls made slick with blood. I woke up

at the foo

scream, co

dark. Neither hostile nor kind, but with

sped. "Moon Stone. Your father

to claw their way out felt like poiso

ed so we were at eye level. "They taught

ere." My voice bar

mouth curled, not quite a smile. "So w

tightened.

my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. "You belong where yo

it back the shame

place." His grip loosened, but he didn't let go. "Yo

stepping bac

ie. That's the only me

ined h

ht me

truck low. Pain became familiar, but so did anger. I let it burn brighter than fear

ning," he sai

not de

Ye

s always

f training yards, silent as the seasons changing. Once, he

e said, voice low.

ot like

h without warmth. "But you will be

o. I bled fo

me alone, patching wound

m," he said,

fear

me, offering a flask of something bitter and

hing and grimacing

ing me?" I asked.

ickered, brief. "But you

ened. "I

's brought back in years. Usually, he kills them on sight without hesitation or even given the

. "Should I be

ing me with the flask. "And

sleep much

er, exhaustion, and the creeping

shame. But something inside me sharpe

wolf.

hing m

that wanted

ng something Moon Stone