to the gut, sharp and alive with the scent of

Blackthorn

nce-mighty hunting lodge, where nobles feasted and laughed as they chose thei

A shadow breaking

re

slipping through cracks where others fall. He must have hidden among t

t moment

r in the dim torchlight. He reaches me, chest heaving, breath ragged. His fur

extra hand," he mutters,

d. W

." His voice is low,

under of hooves. The nobles won't let

move," I s

something that might be a grin.

my shoulder. More than a dozen werewolves run through the trees, their eyes

lares be

has beg

. "Break off in p

sitation. We know this gam

iffer

we make t

sh just as the first riders burst into the clearing. Tor

's personal

ck against a tree. His lips curl in a

mutter. "They think s

kly. "Let's remind

ght, the Blackthorn crest stitched into his cloak

that

now

s Ve

dragged me i

The shift is rising beneath my skin, my bones

arkness. "Come out, beasts." His tone is smooth, practi

into th

ur blood on the

ce returns. "Ah, Kade. You should have stayed in your

e, but I hold up a ha

s. "I'll mak

't le

hrusts his spear, but I sidestep, grabbing the shaft and snapping it i

s hot again

dy cru

e Soren tackles him off his horse, fangs sinkin

er ride

Blackthorn's walls. Another fumbles for his crossbow. He ba

close. His breath is ragged, hi

" I w

tremble.

h to make a point. "Run back to Blackthorn. Tell t

to his feet, tripping over himse

mouth, his sharp teeth gl

the distant glow of Blackthorn Hollow. "

me to show them

nes crack, my skin stretches, and t

its the night-long

sn't

ther howl follows, then another. Not

s. "That's no

ghten at my

shift between the trunks, too many to be

heart hammerin

voice-low, gutt

nly ones who have

blink open in the darkness.

nt isn

ust be