a P

iek was musi

screeched, pointing a trembli

ol against my new jacket. I flicked the silver lighter open aga

"I believe I was just collecting on a debt. My mother's legacy. I'm sure

he light

"You lie! You're a disgraced exile, a wolfless nobod

rn things in the dark. How to survive. How to fight back." My a

aginary lint from my jeans. "I'd love to sta

nywhere!" Delpha cr

older than any winter night. It stopped her in her tracks as effectively as a physica

ain," I said, my voice

them sputtering in my wake. The engine of my new motorcycle roa

as

ly. I had a destinatio

pack on my back, I pulled out the final piece of my costume. A simple, smooth white mask that covered the

two narrow slits for my eyes. I was no

were massive, wrought iron monstrosities designed to k

ed voice answered. "This is a priv

tal modulator in my pocket. The result was a neutral, alm

he Surgeon," I said. "In

kered to life, showing the face of an old, stern-looking man in a butle

ouse calls," he said, his ey

to step through. The butler, Alistair Price, stood just insid

f particular interest," I replied, my modulated voice

d, his gaze sweeping over me, di

range, fibrous material, and in its center was a single, scorched brand mark:

he texture, the burn mark. His suspicion

est part. Getting through the

level. "If the great Gilmore pack lacks the sincerity to even speak with a messenger, then cl

ack on him and st

ble before it even began. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic dr

p. Two.

ence st

ai

harp, cutting

t turn around. I let hi

vice on his wrist. "Alpha, a representative is here. Claims to be from T

d my

ny sound of a voice from his device. I could

id spine relaxed, replaced by a res

e said, his tone now grudgi

slits of my mask, I met his

e iron doors swung shut behind me with a heavy

eyes on me from the trees, from the shadows of

head held high. I could feel their unseen s

st was abou