the shadows seemed to close in arou

wolf howled-a lonely, mournful so

reminded him of everything he had lost-his wolf, the connection to the deeper, prim

ne's voice broke the silence, her

e, his dark eyes narrowing. "A

ced to follow strangers into the woods wi

e because I

ded, but he didn't apologize. Lyorine st

there was venom in it. "You don't even know who I am, Killian.

le cowering under his glare, but Lyorine didn't flinch. "Th

. For a moment, it seemed like something was about to snap. Then, wi

he said over her shoulder, her v

ustrated breath a

. The moonlight barely filtered through the thick c

ing-maybe another biting com

oo

arpening. His hand shot out, gra

d, but he silenced

etly, his voice bare

ncing around. "I don

u're not a wolf," he rep

following the faint metallic scent. It

t first glance, Zach thought it was a wolf, but as he ste

oma

g scratches and bruises across her pale skin. She looked fragile, like a

cautious, but something about her pulle

ne asked from behind hi

placed two fingers against her neck, feeling the

recogniz

ad. "No. But she'

e of mine," Lyorine sai

t her, his brow f

er arms. "You can tell by the energy aro

was something strange about her, so

eave her here,"

ied, her tone blunt. "S

ssion hard. "I'm not

here I thought werewolves we

ifted the unconscious woman into his arms. She was l

he said, his

ut followed him

hey returned, the cabins scattered ac

her down on the bed. Lyorine lingered near the d

l this trouble for a stranger?"

ke. "She's injured. I'm not going

for someone so... grum

the woman's wounds. He worked quickly but carefully, hi

xhaling slowly. "She'll live," he sa

ne said, though her t

s expression serious. "Why

u don't even know who she is, Zach. For all you know, she

if she's a threat, I'll deal

er head. "You're either ve

id, his lips twitchin

kly. By the time Zach stepped outside, the pack had alread

ach him, his expression a mix

t firm. "What the hell is going o

the woods," Zach

here? Without knowing who

h said, his tone sharp. "I was

ing the pack at risk. People are already on edge because of the

arrowed. "I'l

ow, it feels like you're making decisions that

the attention of the pack. Zach could feel their eyes

" Zach repeated, his vo

tly. "Fine. But don't expect me to cle

in, his thoughts restless. Lyorine had left hours

stirred, a soft gro

t, moving to her side. Her eyes f

"You're safe. You're in

For a moment, she said nothing, her expressio

fro

me?" he demanded, his

ngers brushing against his arm. "The curse..." she murmu

an cold. "What

her eyes rolled back, and

racing. Who was she? How di

what did she mean by "s

d Lyorine stepped inside,

en a ghost," she said, h