en

l gave me, gathered the first batch of roots

tained kitchen window, giving me a clear

e chopping block as she struggled to split heavy pine l

ce with her arms crossed over her round belly, bark

ed nightshade bark in a heavy stone mor

en window. Her rat-like eyes were da

trolled the resources and the care of the wounded Alpha held the real power. Carla had spent months treating

th hands to her stomach an

ass. "Oh, the baby just kicked hard... my lower back is killing

ed her sweat-streaked forehead. "Right aw

n and sprinted around the side of

corner, the pained expressi

breath, backed up two paces toward a large puddle of muddy

elp me!

creech ripped thro

tely splattering her dress and arms. She immediately rolled onto h

tchen, watching her performance

, carefully avoiding the sharp gravel and the chopping blo

otsteps thundered

bursting out through the back

nda screamed, rushing into

ave my baby!" Carla sobbed hyste

came stumbling out of the shed, his face r

mud-covered fingers, sc

e dark corner near the stove, letti

ing, mud-caked finger directly toward the unlatched wooden

heatrical agony. "She came out here while Jayme was gone

went utte

turned an ugl

shaking her head frantically. "Aspe

ed me! She said she'd rather die in the woods than stay wi