a's

s softness – an all-encompassing comfort that seemed to cradle my battered body. It was so different

ery inch of my body was proof enoug

nking against the soft golden light

pital room, with its stark white walls and antiseptic smell. Instead,

overhead, casting intricate shadows in the gentle light. The bed I lay in was enormous, easily big en

s swaying gently in a breeze I couldn't feel. To my left, a crackling fireplace cast a warm g

vish than even Lilith's room back home, and worlds away

t thing I remembered was the cliff, the sea

ave of dizziness washed over me. Every muscle in my body protested

hisper. It was all I could manage, my throat raw and

as I was beginning to wonder if I'd imagined the who

yself face to face with three of t

breath catch in my throat. These weren't just any werewolves – these were Alphas, or at least

hat seemed to look right through me. His face was all hard angles and sharp planes, like it had been c

irst man's expression was serious, almost stern, this one wore a roguish grin that spoke of mischief a

back in a loose ponytail. But it was his eyes that captured me – a deep, soulful green that seemed to hold all the wisdom of the forest w

d, his deep voice rumbling throug

e out was a dry croak. Immediately, the third

for a pitcher on the bedside ta

p but notice the graceful movement of his hands. Long, eleg

, and I gasped as a jolt of... something... shot through me. It was like a warm current, spreading from that point of

d saw an answering shock in thos

e playing at the corners of his mouth. "An

who were watching our interactio

e a little stronger after the water

erritory," he explained, his tone businesslike but not unkind. "We found you unconscious on the

n Pack, I'd heard whispers of the Shadow Ridge. They were said to be the most powerful pack in the region,

ir guest. Or their prisoner? A tendri

ghts. His voice was lighter than Lucian's, with a hint of laughter always

Lucian added. "Let them kno

sical this time, but emotional. Memories of that fateful night came rush

ick at the corners of my eyes. "Plea

d a look, a silent communic

sher said gently, perching on the edge of the bed. "B

f my defenses. Before I knew it, the whole story was pouring out of me – the mate reje

jaw as he clenched it tight. Kael's usual grin faded, replaced by a look of outrage. And Asher

emotionally drained, a heavy

ing the silence. "How could they treat

is voice tight with controlled anger. "They let politics and p

y hand in his. That same warmth flooded through m

oftly. "But know this – you have sanctuary here for as l

ith his protective fury, and Asher with his gentle compassion. For the fi

every fiber of my being. "I don't know h

ould start by getting better," he said. "I am dying to hear more a

I'm not... I mean, I've never shifted

nged another of th

e," Lucian said. "For now, you should rest. Yo

over me. The brief conversation had draine

ctantly. "But we'll be nearby if you need anythi

lready drifting off. But just before sleep clai

than anything I'd ever felt with Marcus. Could it be possible? After

ay. I couldn't let myself h