hina'

ecrets, I was bartering with a dangerous Alpha to save the life of my brother. Kael had just revealed a bombshell: Aiden's relentless illness was caused by Alpha of

seemed like a predator ready to strike. Tension permeated the room, and the silence stretched uneasily between us. Kael w

d something." "Sahara, I am not here to save you. There is no compa

trying to project assurance. "But why haven't you tak

t any Alpha." He is sly, merciless, and he has developed relationships to guard him. I tried pursuing him before, but he always s

l was so dreaded. This was personal, a deeply ingrained resentment that had fanned for

all of this?" Wary about

ng him. He does not know you, though. You are my hidden weapon since he views you as not a thre

a pawn in this lethal game between two strong Alphas. Though I couldn't tur

, my voice a little rebellious. I am not a

pack that hates you. When everyone else dropped out, you looked after your brother. Remembe

ver consider me anything but a mistake in my value. Kael was now asking me to use that same might to bring down one of the most pot

sisted. And should I fail, w

. "Failure isn't a choic

orld free of mistakes. Everything was plain and white-that ei

g. Tall and muscular, Raiden carried a scar across his cheek that served as a constant reminder of the many conflicts he ha

his voice tight. "Men of Lucian have b

mured, getting to his feet. He looked at me, his eyes

ply strategy and whispered ideas now. It was genuine, instantaneous, and far more peril

My heart thumping in my chest, we arrived at the northern watchtower. Lucian's scouts were silhouettes I could see hovering in the distance,

of focus. He said, nearly to himself, "They're t

a dark look. "Do yo

at least least expected times. He fixed me with a sidelong gaze with narrowed eyes. "You

oing to hold my hand across this or coddle me. He expected me to prove myself deserving of standing by his

e not only our packs but also our own life going forward from the lines of battle. Though it was dangerous, Kael's strat

said, "Let's get back."

was a developing will. My entire life I had been told I was nothing-a helpless, cursed

or control, for atonement, and for an opportunity to at last be the Luna I w

uld stand next to Kael, face Lucian, and do all it would take to guard people I loved. Even if it mean