on and

he packhouse, but it wasn't reassuring. L

e was a loud, authoritative knock. The door o

ousness by mumbling, "G

er me, evaluating. He urged, "Come with me,"

e into a little office that seemed menacing despite its lack of furnishing

hair across from his

ating. I could feel the weight of his unwav

t the pleasantries." "What brou

"As I said, I'm Iris, a renegade seeking

onto pack territory without a reason." Furthermore, they don't live as

eanor. I said steadily, "I'm not sure what you wa

on the desk between us as his eye

I made myself maintain

rogue." "When someone challenges you, you don't bat an eye. You're not afr

rugged. "Perhaps I'm just more

ually remarked. "I sense it." I leaned forward a little and whispered hastily, "I'm not a threa

his arms once again. Finally, he responded, "All right." "You may r

is words seemed more like a th

out after turning and open

es

me feel bad

e grilling. Aiden's assumptions were way too accurate

a lot of rooms and halls in the building that I knew quite well. However, it see

outside. Curiosity overcame me, and the door was open. When I

and

they stood near. I strained to hear

said, "She's still sniffing a

e's just a rogue. Soon enough, Aiden w

er arms. Could she be more than a ro

y. Furthermore, it wouldn't matter even

ou're correct. Yes, we were victorious. Nobody

ips. It was all I could do not to scream in

ontentment. I am respected by the pack. They come after m

t she was so unsophisticated

o lose control of my wrath, even as it

as I turned to go, and the sound

froze at the sharpn

paused, then said. Most likely, just o

ed back to my room, making sure my footsteps were quiet. Th

d triumphed. They bel

ere mi

the passageways darker. I couldn't go directly to my room, even t

to b

ut a side door and into the cold night. I could see the

you're

d Aiden standing behind me. His eyes were keen

dly added, "I couldn't sleep." "

er and said,

sing to back down.

m the intensity of his stare. "You've been

as in front of me, backing me up agai

he shouted, "

presence, his fragrance, and his closeness were ove

entually replied, "I told

e to me." You've been behaving strangely ever

emphasized, "I'm no

I briefly believed I saw a gl

," but this time his tone

air was heavy with unsaid facts, and

than a whisper as he r

iden let go of me, taking a step ba

Alpha." "A problem exists at the sou

lance at me, Aiden turned t

and fear, I watched him

ching the tru