3: Enter

A P

o's supposed to be here," said

orest that surrounded the Golden Claw Pack's boundary would be empty. I gently turned, hold

gular features that made him just as dangerous as the dark forests themselves. His eyes, which were a piercing storm-gray

n Kil

hine Pack

iffic

ow the Golden Claw Pack permitted its mem

more tightly, "I don't remem

d at his mouth. "Agg

pace," I yelled

shoulder, then back up at my face. "Are we ru

n my chest with ag

ing it is not difficult. Every time Darius is around, your body language

t he said. "I don't r

rinning even broadly. "

took a step closer. He chuckled in amu

an be stopped by

ence made me uneasy. "If you pus

I'll offer you that you have spirit. How

d hurled at Darius only hour

't clear. You could have made it through Darius's first time, but out there? He

urate he sound

ng for from me?" I

he was about to say. "I

le. "There is nothi

thoughtful voice. But you

l the weight of his sta

to help me?" With s

e. But more than that, Aria, I think you have promise. You are a wolf who has been confined;

us look. "What do you

more piercing and strategic this time

aback and bl

al transaction. "Darius will retreat if he thinks you're obligated t

shake. "You'r

a near whisper. "Consider it. Out of his grasp, you'll be safe. Additi

azy," I

entering a world that wants to eat you alive. Even the f

mate connection was an uncompromising force, and Darius was unrelenting. I would h

cline?" I pos

t, you're alone yourself. But when Dari

in the quiet that

s, the packed bag on my shoulder, and the knife in my palm. Freedom seeme

ally do this?"

romise things I can't keep. I would defend you with no

your pac

ow my example,"

ing. Was this really the so

on was hardly audib

ftened. "Because you deserve an

ed something with

e dagger. "All right," I answer

t it didn't seem as sly t

could regret my choice. "Sho

xtended hand. Though my plans had already g

held his hand. He grou

ing go of me. "Let's then

e before I could inquire what he meant. I raised my h

one low and personal. It's t

n forward or take a step

ting his lips, he rep

ow

ace when a howl pi

side as his face became s

churned with fe

Killian's eyes. "Not just ye

rm and dragged me fu

ld

low my instructions to the letter

f his voice. My pulse raced with a mixture of terr

ltering for the first

rtain that I was prepare