en a ghost," she said, h

focating even, as the air between them thickened with unspoken tension. Every fiber in his body sc

t raged on. "You show up here, knowing things no one else should know.

I don't remember much about my past. But what I do know-" She stepped forward, her eyes lockin

felt. He wanted to believe her, wanted to trust that she wasn't here to hu

them swung open with a loud crash. Marcus

darted to Lyorine, narrowing with suspicion. "What the hell is she still d

He turned to face his younger brother, his broad shoulders bl

a witch. A stranger. And you're letting her stay here, in our territ

sides. "I'm standing right here, you know," she said, her voice ic

s. "Fine. What are you even doin

to me, I'd be far away from all of you. But I'm here because of him." She pointed

less, sharp. "Tied toget

m. He glanced between the two of them, his chest heavin

ng his head as he stormed out of the

over his face, exhaling heavily. He turned back to Lyorine

his voice softer now. "The pack's on e

lipped. "You think I don't feel their stares, their whispe

t might give him clarity. Instead, all he saw was the same

e now. And until we figure out what's going on, you'll stay unde

xpression softening just

the sky, its pale light casting long shadows over the clearing. He could hear the low murmur

dly as he spoke. Zach's jaw tightened. He knew his brother meant well, bu

rning to him. Some looked away quickly, while others h

?" Zach asked, his

"They're worried, Zach. We all are. You're ri

said, his tone leaving no room

curse?" Marcus pressed. "What if keepi

o fists at his sides. "

ignoring the fact that she's hiding something? By prete

arcus, his towering frame casting a shadow over his younger brother. "You're my Beta, Marcu

g. Then he let out a frustrated

alone in the clearing. The rest of the pack quick

the wind. Zach stood in the middle of a clearing, his breaths coming in short, shallow

ac

sent a shiver down his spine. He turned, hi

ht. Her long hair cascaded down her back, and her eyes glowed with an otherworld

Zach asked, h

a sad smile playing on he

id, taking a step

bound by it," she said. "You and I. The curse, the prophecy-it's

s heart pounding in his chest.

n to fade, her figure dissolving int

ed to catch his breath. The dream clung to him lik

ve to c

still reeling from the dream. He found Lyorine sitting on the porch

he said, his voice

er expression unreada

eside her. For a moment, neither of them

e low. "There was a woman. She said we were

, her eyes narrowing.

d through his hair. "But I think it has

ossing her face. "Zach... what if the choice

jaw tightening. "The

a whisper, her voice trembling