g for me at the

eep weariness in every line of his body. But when he saw me, something shifted in his exp

ce was rough. "A

him, suddenly unsure of my welcome. "Caleb

face, looking for something I couldn't name. "H

he accusation I

fe. Caleb offered me shelter." I kept my voice steady,

ed." But his jaw was tight, h

closer to him, close enough to touch. "I'm your mate, D

e tension in his shoulders relaxed. He reached out and pu

m not... I'm not used to this. To caring t

k into his warmth. "I understand. But you have t

ely the truth either. Because even as I said them, an image flashed

o. There was no future in

ok at me. "There's something I need

prised. "What

they can help." He paused, his expression troubled. "Normally, I'd send Marta. But she's needed here, with al

. "I do. My mot

g you can." His hands tightened on my arms. "Caleb will escort you to the b

ourse it wo

do I l

r a day. But this is important. It builds alliances, shows our strength. And honestly.

s an outsider, a stranger who'd been given the Luna title w

id. "And I'll m

n-soft, gentle, full of promise. "Now come in

me too

aling supplies, and met Caleb at the edge of the territory. He

ed, not quite m

ea

he northern border. The morning was crisp and clear, sunlight filtering through the tr

spoke. "I wan

r w

. It wasn't appropriate." His hands tightened on the

me. "You saved my life. You kept me s

el things I shouldn't feel. Think things I shouldn't think. And I

uldn't. And I... I feel things too. Things tha

expression pain

undeniable. We rode on in silence, the we

o warriors and an older woman with kind eyes and silver-streaked

lly. "We're grateful you came. Our Luna ha

can." I turned to Cale

is eyes met mine, stead

lowed Lena into

o the sides of gentle slopes. But as we walked, I noticed the signs of illness. Curtains dr

s of our territory and spread quickly. Most recover, but the old and the weak..

uster. Inside, the air was thick with the smell of herbs and sickness. An old wo

said softly. "Our

ith age but still sharp. She studied me

ed. "So much weight on

ing beside her. "I'm Elara.

e was no malice in her voice, only gentle understandi

udied my face. Then she reached out and t

quietly. "A burden in your heart. Two

th catching. "I don'

hat it wants, child. But duty demands its price. You'll have to choose,

away and flee. But I couldn't move, couldn

," I managed finally.

we have to prove it." She squeezed my hand. "Now. Let me teach you something. A healing techniq

new ways, how to reach deeper into the body's natural healing processes.

some color returning to her cheeks. It wasn't a cure-she was too old,

we left the hut. "Truly. You hel

but also fulfilled in a way I hadn't felt since coming to Sh

you a message," she said quietly. "She said to tell you: 'The mate bond is sacred, but it

ay to that. So I just n

eft him, his face lighting up

e, suddenly desperate to get away, to process

est growing mysterious and shadowy around us. Caleb

hing caught my attention. A figure, standing among the trees,

, squinting into the shadow

, his hand going to

k, the figure was gon

" I murmured. "Probably j

orse closer to mine, his body tense and ale

d the safety of the pack's central clearing. Damon was there, waiting for

happ

uddenly exhausted beyond words. "J

swayed, his arms stro

eyes met mine over Damon's shoulder, and I knew he was thinking abo

, tucked me into bed like a child. I was a

r again. Luna Mira, her an

s. You'll have to choose. An

on slept beside me, his arm thrown over my waist, his breathing deep a

The man I'd sworn

ose in my mind. Blue eyes, warm smile, t

ra had said.

ngered, stubborn and persistent, and I knew-with a certa

, a wol

border, a figure watched t