ia's

At the end of the long table, the Elders are staring, and you can tell they're judging me silently. Dad's

e's not saying anything, but I can feel how uneasy he is. The council's disapproval

uper sharp. He shoves a worn map across the table.

an two weeks. Three villages wiped out, their peo

keep my voice steady. I can't show I'm

en answers. No scents. No footprints

otch hunters. No enemy should be able to sn

e than just som

me. We might be facing som

Rowan. They put up with him because he's with me, and even that's risky because of t

. We have to do something, Alpha. People are scared.

ay of saying we should lie to the king

I'm not going to make dumb choices that could get more

ciding is just as bad

Right in my face.

it's enough to keep me grounded. Enou

can into my voice. Then maybe you should go check thin

le

d of it echoes in the ro

d, talking quietly as they leave. Varen h

ne, I let out a bre

dled th

didn't lose it and attack Va

es. Yeah, some

first time since I walked in h

e walls, something's

, it's got its sig

rward. The ground felt cold and damp under my feet. The lake was reflecting the moonlight, but it wa

aid. My voice hardly r

rgy that made my skin crawl. My wolf was going crazy in

whispers

wa

my ears like the wind. I turned, checking the trees, my heart pounding. This w

hing pull

ot up my arm and it was way too strong just because the water was cold. I caught my

pers got

I saw s

shadow in th

ater calmed down, the image became clear. It was a reflection, but it wasn't me.

s a w

were pulled back in a weird way like she was trying to smile evilly, an

r went still a

to go. Whatever was in that lake, whatever made me come

p. I turned fast, every muscle tens

t alone

the trees, I sa

The reflection was gone, but I could still feel its

hade move between them. Sile

breath. "Who

't moving the leaves like it should

less. I wasn't b

e. I quickly turned aroun

Everything w