dn't

arning. My hand tightened around the knife, my breath caught in my throat. Through th

left

urse

he bed. I sank onto the furs, still clutching the knife, my mind racing. Ther

rough. Even if I could shift-which I couldn't control-I'd nev

back myself. I

, still trembling. Sleep was impossible, but I closed my eyes and forced my breathin

rived t

ray and gold. I hadn't slept-not really-but I must have drifted at som

elt his

se golden eyes. He was dressed now-leather pants, a fur cloak over his broad s

he said. It wa

inkled, my hair a mess, but I met his gaze without flinc

n his voice. "You learn fast. Fear is

hide that served as a curtain. Sunlight flooded

"Tonight, you become mine in the eyes of the pack and th

In the daylight, I could see him more clearly-the scars on his chest, the ha

eep us strong. Rules that keep us alive. As my

ing, just w

. Not because you're weak, but because I am your Alpha. Y

oodmare.

permission. You will not look at them. You will not ac

as if waiting for me to prot

off from the window and walked toward me, each step slow and deliberate. "Your half-blood status mak

t radiating from his body. "I will breed you until your

ned, but I did

He reached out and touched my hair, running a strand between his fingers. "I wonder what y

ought the urge to shove him away. His breath was

yes. Surprise? Interest? His nostrils flar

lightly, his gaze sharpen

at that meant, s

was disgust there-I could see it-but there was something else too. Something that

mself. "Get up," he commanded. "You need to

ts slow and deliberate. As I passed him

is voice low and dangerous.

art s

s clever." His grip tightened, fingers digging into my flesh.

mind racing. He knew

ave died. But tonight..." He leaned close, his lips brushing my ear. "Toni

ped to a whisp

u watch as I destroy everyone who ever showed you kindness." He pulled back, meeting my eyes. "Maeve. The servant

od ran

derstand,

, unable

s fingers had been. "Now go. Bathe. Prepare. And remem

ere with his threat echoing in my mind and the h

ing chamber-a small room with a wooden tub filled with steaming water. They helped me undress, their

They dressed me in a new garment-not white this time, but deep red, the colo

-a young woman, barely older than me, w

ur name?"

door, then back at me

ed. "How long hav

ng my hair, her movements quick and efficient. "Plea

k and touched her hand br

ng that looked like pity. The same pity I'd

uching my ear. "The old one-Maeve-she says to wait. To watch.

ve had allies here. P

my mind: I will kill them all

them. I couldn

to Ronan's den. The knife was gone from beneath the furs-someone had

fussing over details I couldn't care about. The sun crawled across the sky, e

egan to fade,

cloak, his chest bare and gleaming with oils. He

holding out his h

ation. Cruelty. And beneath it all, that strange hunger I'd noticed befor

k his

led me out of the den toward the clearing where the pa

fate, Maeve's word st

u

running meant death for

re Ronan had introduced me last night, now decorated with flowers and furs and symbols of pack u

drums fell silent. The howling stop

earing, "I take my Luna. Tonight, our bloodli

n turned to me with a smile

" he co

defiance-but then I knelt. The cold stone bit i

en me, but a ceremonial dagger, ancient and sharp. He cut his palm fir

oned. "Your wolf joins my pack.

bright, and my blood joined his on the ancient stone.

an's voice, soft and pri

now, half-blo