ia

ach the dungeon, a gua

"The prisoner Elara has requested to s

of my mouth drew back, not in a s

cloak," I

cloak around my shoulders to block

ing of wet earth, iron rust, and fear. Torches flicker

t of the iron bar

thin, torn dress, but the moment she saw me, she jumped

the iron bars with her pale hands

her dirty, a

a high-ranking officer, but she ha

ago. It was a sacred tradition where young she-wolv

uring the drawing of lots, ensuring she got the ceremonial

ogue bear that had been terrorizing our borders. I had dragged the massive beast back to the

me of trying to humiliate her. Ou

e began on the day Julian

eyes with me across the courtyard. He had caught my uni

d and my heart hammered against my ribs. Julian's Inner

rst time, a violent electric shock ha

ce childhood, had watched it al

eon, Elara thought she ha

h the sneer, her eyes were too sharp. Calculating

gloating. This w

ping. She had seen my weakness and u

her eyes gleaming with malice. "You always thought your old blood made you better than me," she co

g spasm. She fought to keep the tears welling in her eyes, but the muscle jus

life over your

ng absolutely no anger

oftly in the damp stone corridor. "But you only won a man w

e faltered f

spered, stepping closer to the bars. "It

when it breaks you-and it will break you-remember this moment. Remember

lack cloak sweeping a

iron bars. "You're just jealous!

ot stop

ath her rage. The first hairli

had changed. She ju