ages of Malachi's men breaking down her door, claws and fangs bared. Dominic's word

ic-or Malachi, for that matter-control her choices. If Malachi wanted her as a pawn in his war, he'd have to come for

presence endangered not only herself but the humans who lived here.

rbs she'd collected for emergencies, and a dagger she kept hidden beneath her ma

o her belt, a knock

y, and no one else knew she lived here. Her pulse

n, it

mi

nd opened the door, glaring up

a black leather jacket that seemed to absorb the sunlight. His

asked, his tone lace

our business," Rowan sn

g over his broad chest. "And where do you plan to go?

f myself," she sai

stubborn, I'll give you that. But stubbornness won't keep yo

the doorframe. "I don't need

ing. "You're not just putting yourself in danger. If Malachi finds

Dominic," she shot back. "I

the words carrying a weight that

n tension. Rowan searched his face for any hint of decep

said finally, her voice s

pected as much. "Fine. Have it your wa

ed out a small, intricately carved pendant. It gleamed silver

at?" she a

her. "It'll mask your scent and kee

endant like it might bite her

steady, "whether you like it or not, you're

ed to throw the pendant back in his face, to tell him exactly where he co

t from his hand. "This does

e crossed his lip

stepped back and shut th

made her decision: she couldn't stay in Ashridge, but she wouldn't run blindly either. There was

, shrouded in myths and whispers of ancient wolves who'd refused

she felt the faint pull of the bond, a

mi

to him-and to herself-that she didn't need him. Not his pro

home, Rowan turned and disappeared into the

figure lurking in the shad

urmured, a wicked smile s

re closer than D