ra

was comple

ight switch on the

ng ha

harp scent of ozone and something uniquely Kael-a m

ark until I found a small b

handle to wash the

r than any winter stream, spra

started shaki

inner fire that kept

ood was d

a simple discomfort; it was a thief, leaching the he

t and put on one of the dirty,

e the thick layers of dust

d blew through a c

felt hot tears sliding

of my gr

s for my survival in our old

my eyes

where it was sa

of the attic and cr

the first floor, I heard vo

er and a man i

-ranking Heal

out before the Luna Mother retu

te, the mother of the pack,

t into the snow," the Elder

n let her in?" t

ind-Link right before she

voice that connected wolv

a terrible price in

tinued. "Other pack leaders were visiting me at

fective," the

estern territories right now. If word gets out that we broke a promise to a dying

ressing my back aga

eep her?" the

the council will intervene. But if we deny her basic resources, isolate her, and let the other pups break he

ce; it simply became a col

nto their den seeking shelter, but I had unknowingly become a

legs shaking beneath me. I closed the door and le

Luna Mother returned. Before they

the corner. I held it against my ch

not let

d not

had no idea that the real trap had already