Nightw

y. Poppy had scurried off, her small frame radiating a nervous energy that w

ailed weaving of a dense, ancient forest. It reminded

ulling me back thirteen years to the day I

ed standing in the great hall, dwarfed by the high ceilings and the powerful, arrogant wolves who stared at me as if I were something the

thunderstorm and pine, even then, crackling with dominance. They judged my sc

her, Alpha Silas. He was already tall and broad-shouldered, his h

able, shot through me. My young wolf whimpered with a joy so pure it ached. His

show joy. It showed sh

it was loud enough for everyone nearby to hear, sharp and cruel.

and

gile hope that had just bloomed within me withered and died on the spot. That insult, that single moment of public hu

n and run, to disappear back into the forest they thought I smelle

and disappointment on her face as she looked at her son. She reprimanded him sharply, but the

yes. "Don't listen to him, child," she'd said, her voice a soft comfo

Ryker was murdered on the day we met. Everything that came after was just a slow, painful execution of my soul. My vow to L

outside the chamber door pu

Ryker, his Bet

fore he even entered. His scent was stronger now, more oppressive, laced with the victory of his re

spark jealousy. I

thundercloud of irritation, his golden eyes narro