A'S

n was there, his arms wrapped around me from behind, his chin resting on my shoulder. His scent was pure, just pine and w

my head, a sharp, searing fire wh

e I heard was

nt a single scar on her face. She is th

ut of pride in his possession. I was a beautiful

yes closed,

of the bed. "It's all my fault, Alpha. I was c

aph

h now. It was an accident. Hunting is dangerous; injuries h

en cause a flicker of pain anymore. They were just a

s small voice, laced with worry. Not for

aphina cooed. "Your father

s tonight," Kaelen said, a flirtati

wave of

choed in my mind.

whole pack is talking about how you

thought back, my mental voice flat an

uldn't hurt a fly. She's a sweet girl. You need to lea

k went

and Kaelen sat on the edge of my bed.

ed to sound loving, but I could hear the annoyan

e handsome face, the powerful jaw, the eyes that used to be

ice raspy. "I want you

ger. "Anything,

, my voice steady. "Send her a

ed as he realized what he'd said. "I mean-Lyra, it's not

a small, brittle

eved. "Oh. For

ct. "The honey cakes from the bakery in the village. The

a simple way to show his "devotion." "Of c

, white box, I was sitting up in bed. He

just as I remembered-sweet honey a

man who brought it to me had. The

warmth I felt for him, the last echo of the love t

hat was le

-