bin

e w

across my desk. The numbers were disappointing, but

me, his posture rigid. He was the

ambushed by Rogues on the old fore

ancocks? They wouldn't

p, weaker bloodlines. Their only value

own. Our patrol saw the aftermath-the skid marks, the blood. They said the driv

ped a single, rhythmic beat against the

carried weight in the silent offi

her thing. The search for 'The Surgeon.' Still

gaze sharpened, and I could feel the air i

ow growl. "Double the bounty. Triple it. I don't care

is head. "At

scent of my own frustration. My grandfather, the great Edmund Gilmore, was fading. Th

oison. I just c

shadows of the underworld: The Surgeon. A healer who c

epared to pa

a P

hat belonged to no pack, a festering, vibrant hub where Rogues, outcasts, and me

ce and my conspicuous silver hair. I moved through the crowd, my sens

s that were rare, tools that were specialized. Revenge was a dish b

sed. The vendor was haggling with a pair of burly wolves, but I

nsane. Alpha Gilmor

ugh gold to buy a small pack. Bu

n can cure anything.

ng. So, the great Corbin Gilmore was looking for me. That was...

en in shadow. I took the small paper-wrapped package and

that rea

sickly sweet, familiar, and it made th

Slowly,

anked by a couple of his sycophant friends, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and

aching for mine. "You're back. I've

ght his wrist, twisted it sharply against the joint, and wrenched his arm behind his back in one fluid motion. He yelp

se to his ear, my voice a shard of ice. "Y

ered into his friends. He looked at me, h

e had completely vanished. Humilia

ing into one of profound hurt. "Arla, I know you're still ang

"A misunderstanding? You mean the misunderstanding where you stole the cer

ce wen

ng not to listen, were now openly staring.

al space. I lowered my voice, making it a venomous whisper

ne bearing his family's crest. "Everything you and your family value," I murmu

violence in my eyes made him

a second longer, let

ppearing into the anonymity of the

ds ask, his voice laced with doubt,

oice was too loud, too defe

. It would make it all the s