between them, more intense now than ever before, but she refused to give in to it.

ion, Alpha," she snapped, trying to

released her. His wolf growled inside him, not happy about her

he said, his voice dangerously low. "

im see how close to the truth he was. If Talon ever found out about her conn

hide," she lied, st

ought he might challenge her, press her for the truth. But then he exha

, running a hand through his dark hair. "There'

nd Silverclaw Packs was drawing closer by the day, and when it came, chaos w

, she felt the first stirrings of doubt. Could she really go throu

lon said abruptly, turning his back to

in place. But she forced herself to move, turning away and heading back toward the camp without

-

n the Pa

e bustling around, preparing for what seemed like an imminent battle. Warrio

, Rafe, led a group of warriors in setting up defensive

hen the battle starts, it could be the

ut raising suspicion. If she played her cards ri

e interrupted by

came a

er with open hostility. Nyra had never liked Elara, and the tension b

stepping closer. "You're just a slave.

that burned on her tongue. She couldn't afford t

d smoothly, forcing a calm expres

inced, but before she could say anyt

tone commanding. "If the Alph

if she could trust him either. He was fiercely loyal to Ta

h a final glare at Elara, she stor

ze she'd been holding. Rafe watched her

others," he said quie

ed a beat. "Wha

ou're strong. You don't break easily. Most

r pulse was racing. "I do what

o peel back her layers and see the truth underneath. "Just be ca

a knot of anxiety tightening in her chest. Rafe was dangerous. He was

afford any

-

r That

the servant quarters. Sleep eluded her, her mind spinning with t

paring to take down the man who had destroyed h

omplicated

stantly alert. Her heart pounded in her chest as a figu

her voice laced with bot

rp features. His expression was unreadable, but there was a

, his voice low. "The bond.

tion that tugged at her every time she was near him. But she co

ered, her voice trembling. "Y

ng into fists at his sides. "That doe

throat tight with emotio

their situation pressing down on them both. Talon's gaze bor

y, his voice rough. "I can feel it. There'

, but the words wouldn't come. How could she lie to hi

she could say more, there w

rd the door, his eyes nar

the sounds of shouting and the clash of weapons

Pack had launch

, her mind spinning. This was it. The moment she had been waiting for

to defend his pack, a wave o

do it? Could sh

-

e Battl

s filling the night air as they clashed with Bloodmoon defenders. Talon's warriors fou

er chest. She had to make a choice-now. She could slip away in the ch

ful form cutting through the enemy like a force of nature. He

y, Elara wa

onger than ever before. She was supposed

ing him sent a sharp p

n revenge and the undeniable truth of the mate bond. The battl