Valeri

e didn't move, didn't speak. He was a predator, coiled and wary, assessing a

. Why would

between us. Then I took three steps back, raising my empty hands to shoulder height. It was a universal sign of s

an eternity, he finally moved. He didn't walk towards the key. Instead, he used the length of his own chain, hooking the end

were burning holes into my soul, daring me to make a move, to reveal th

was a physical wave of raw, untamed Alpha energy, a crushing force that buckled my knees and stole

ck. For him to cross the roo

he d

ldn't decipher, a maelstrom of hate, confusion, and something else I couldn't name. Witho

d him with a soft click, leaving m

frantic rhythm against my ribs. A faint shimmer in the corner of m

:** Affinity: -49

ange. Five points. But it wasn

e. His wolf was a raging tempest inside him, a confusing mix of elation at its freedom, fury at its captor, and a d

grounding. He welcomed it. It was a barrier against the

of the hall, his hazel eyes widening first with sho

d, his voice a low whispe

jaw tight. "She's not right today.

ther's suspicion. "The more she deviates from

o my own-a simple cot, a wooden chest, a weapon rack o

Ryker said, his voice dropping to a de

grim. "At the Ma

e her for what she is, for what she's done. And then... we end her." It wasn't just about r

..." Zane began, his

t him off, his tone absolute. "

gnawing, desperate hunger. I hadn't eaten in... I had no idea h

single crumb of food. The original Elara had lived a life of pure indulgence, never concerning hers

me dizzy, black spot

ps outside the

ther's, widened slightly as he took in my pale face and the disarray I'd created i

e and only chance to reac

uth. I licked my chapped lips and forced myself t

s there anyt

re expecting screams, or demands, or some new, cruel decree. He had never,