its gaze locked on Lena's window. For a long, heart-pounding moment, Len

ustion and frayed nerves fin

against the dirt road. Then, as if sensing her fear, it stopp

m me?" Lena whispered

hen she looked back, the wolf was gone. The street

backed away from the window. Sleep was impossible now. Questions ch

's S

ed for Maren to leave the inn, then made her way to Kael's cab

ne side. As she approached, she hesitated. What would she even say? That

f, the door swung open, and Kael sto

e here," he said

ulders. "You keep telling me to leave, but you'r

ever. For a moment, he studied her in silence, his gray e

with

rest's

h every step. The trees seemed to close in around them, t

s tone cautious. "The wolf. The way the

"So, what's going o

ion grim. "This forest isn't like others. It bel

heart pounding. "The pa

ight deny it. But then his gaze softened, and he nodded.

are you saying? That you-wh

their alpha, Lena. I keep the balance between us and the vil

This doesn't make any sense. You're

nce was ans

mories of the glowing eyes, the wolf's eerie intelligence, the whis

Kael said softly. "You k

se of t

bled through the trees. Her heart leapt in

e," he said, h

t is

his steps silent and predatory. Lena followed h

ves stood at the edge of the trees, their eyes glowing in the dim ligh

s fading into silence. He stepped forward, his presence

weak. "What... wha

e," Kael said without tu

M

smell the fear on you. The pain. But they also sense your streng

ser, its glowing eyes fixed on hers. Every instinct told her to fl

approvingly, bef

le tugging at the corner

d?" she demanded,

r respect," Kael

eat U

e village, Kael's deme

they don't trust outsiders. And the villagers don't trust us.

if it breaks

sion darkened

Why would they die? Are you say

his gray eyes cold. "Not

sted. "Hunters?

want to see us destroyed. They've been quiet for years, but your arr

r past, but it seemed she'd walked straight in

d, her voice barel

ause you're stronger than you think, Lena. And whe

anger

her hand. She'd locked the door, just as Maren had to

ly, she turned to see the silver-eyed wolf stand

it, a pair of glowing eyes emerged

as she realized the

new: they weren't