en'

shb

ickering over accusing faces. My chest heaved

Lifeless. Blood sta

eft my lips before a shrill

! She

was pointing at me, tears streaking her face. "I saw her slipping

ves snarled. My kn

racked as I tried to move

, silencing the crowd. "Enough. You think we accuse

flickered in the night air. My heart slammed against my ribs as the image

ed. Wolves bar

aking my head violently. "It's

oof is here. You conspired agai

into my wrists, dragging me to the ground. The crowd h

thundered, "you are guilty of the death of th

ut the sound vanish

ce Xavier's face but foun

night my own people chained me, branding

**

's expression. Was he going to think I did it too?

wiping my eyes as I stood. "I'll leave right away.

dare walk a

caught in my throat as his arms locked around me like steel bars. His b

me," he

tilting it up until my gaze collided with his. His eyes

?" His voice dropped, deep and commanding. "No, Karen." His lips

ike claws, sending a shiver down my spine. I opened my

ng. His lips moved with punishing force, his teeth grazing my lower lip until a whimper

n shoving him away and dragging him closer. My body be

e, relentless, leaving no space for doubt.

e, he didn't move far. His lips hovered

hand sliding possessively to the small of my ba

heartbeat, I melted my wolf whining with joy, clawing

ed, desperate. Don't fig

darker. The phantom sting of silver chains seared my wrists. Xavier's cru

Zaiden's grip. My body trembled not

ng me with his heat, his s

d against his chest, breaking the kiss. M

den was faster. His hand clamped around my wrist, yanking me back until m

d, though my voice be

was a low growl, vibrating through my bones. "You can fight

stammered, thoug

rushing my ear, his scent dr

y head, while the other cupped my jaw, tilting my face to his. My pulse thund

oice rough, claiming. "And nothing not your past, n

essive. A kiss that felt like a brand. My wolf whimpered in surrender, while