ne's

ysiums's countless nature parks. The forest spreads out before me, and thoug

llen branches, and foliage. I can't hear the wolves behind me anymore, but still I do not stop. I

tree, scraping just about every inch of my body in the process. I curl up against the rough trunk. I know I need to be making plans and sorting out ne

_

t being a Volana wolf had been excuse enough to torment me. My mother and I were the only ones in E

eneath Elysium. I thought I would be able to find my way back out; I didn't un

n found me. At the time he was a young teenager, but he nev

t the end of the day these primal traits will always decide who is in charge, but there had never been any doubt with Bastien.

tands again, gazing up at me in my darkest hour with the p

e with love for ten years before showing his true colors.

tle wolf?" Bastien's deep voic

away." I beg meekly. My voice is barely a wh

sharp lines and angles, form a hard line. "I

will send him away. "I scraped my

ilver eyes, he knows I'm lyin

rabble for a logical answer, "The storm frightened me." As if on cue, a clap of thunder so

you indoors where it will be

hts of Garrick's assault. No, I do not like

squirm under their weight, hiding my face in the

ere, maybe I'll join y

him, I have to find a better hiding spot. I glance over at the tree on my left, consid

the spot. No one can defy an order from the pack Alpha, it's in our

." The harsh rumble belies hi

o much, but it does. His rescue had meant everything to me. Before Garrick imprisoned me, th

momentous event bolsters

is deep voice carries up to me. "Eithe

yes burning. It isn't fa

seconds. Silver eyes sweep over me as I huddle agai

spikes. Every muscle tensing for the imminent att

r in my ear. "You're alright." Warmth surrounds me as Bastien bundles me into his arms,

're on solid footing, but I can't make my limbs work. My eyelids feel heavy

body a bit more tightly, taking up a comforting rumble that

-

t takes a moment for my nerves to catch up with my head, sending sh

rapidly against the light. The room – a large bedroom

overly-sensitized skin despite its softness.

ms. Muffled voices reach my ears, and my attention swings to a closed door on my left. The f

with my back against the door an

nize the voice speaking my nam

second voice answers. "Has

g the hunt, he has instructions to check in the moment they catch his trail." A

st speaker remarks, "No one ever susp

ly. "We should have asked more questions. Volana wolves are no

e known." The fi

second in command in the pack; no one else would be speaking with him th

idn't notice the approaching footsteps. I heard the knob turn half a second b

me, an amused look on his handsome