n's

en after I had left and she'd fled afterward, fear twisting her beauti

stion pulsed in my mind. Her crescent mark reacted to my presence. Human, yet her wolf scent cl

ly sh

, a harsh counterpoint to the pull I felt toward her. That mark. That pack. But she was ju

nails digging into my palms, a de

er touch lingered, a phantom warmth imprinted on my skin, a brand that refused to fade. The

e

to obliterate. A threat. The words echoed in my mind, a stark reminder of my duty. A prophecy whispe

of her past, her bloodline, flashing like lightning. A child laughing in a meado

, glowing, is a symbol of her heritage, and her connection to ancient magic. A similar mark branded my

this mea

to know. Understand the connection, the pull that threatened to consum

Moonshadows are enemies, Kian. Weak, treacherous. They will stop at nothing, th

e the enemy. She seemed...lost,

d at the clearing's edge, arms crossed so tightly her knuckles were white. Her foot tapped

, quickly masked by something else...jealousy? Had she seen her..? A muscle

s," I answered, my voice clipped,

narrowed. "S

lower now, a subtle shift in tone that even I could feel.

Now a rogue?

ped and firm. My heart pounded against my

spleasure. "Kian, you're reckless

d gold, the change involuntary. "Don't speak to me like that," I gro

er eyes. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her

w dangerously soft, each word preci

d, her eyes burning into my back. I could feel her gaze like a physical

a nervous energy that made the hairs on my arms stand on end. The s

its mark – a raw, gaping wo

thought echoed in my mind, a co

ed with weariness. He rubbed his tired eyes, dark circles stark against his pale skin. His s

I asked, m

d, the gesture h

s apart. Then...gone." A young wolf whimpered, clutching a

eir eyes darting nervously around the room as if

fidence into my voice, projecting an image of

, for protection, for reassurance. The Alpha's burden. The thought settled on my shoulders like a p

in my mind. Her crescent mark, usually hidden, was now exposed, a beacon in the gathering darkness. Dange

awn her into the storm, a tempest of my own making

y heart versus responsibility. The choice gnawed at me, a constant, agonizing ache. Hazel was different.

was a desperate plea, a shield against the rising tide of fe

n't deserve, were fixed on me. I couldn't betray them

death knell. The agreement wi

, a cold reminder of my duty. Sacrifice

se of impending doom. In the coming days...th