near the east border. Most packs knew better than to test the Darkfang's reputation. But

injured... and something else.

e curled up near the roots of an old pine tree. Her clothes were torn from the underbrush, h

er's

ibs. The cold air cut through her like a blade, and the blood from her side soaked into the torn fabric of her shirt, staining

e without a second glance, leaving her broken in ways she never thought

iven him her heart completely. Yet the one thing that sh

fresh in her mind.

shared-so natural, so powerful-had been nothing but a cru

no, it was her soul that was bleeding. She could feel her wolf's presence just beneath the surface, her energy lo

took in several shallow breaths, but the air didn't seem to fill her lungs the way it used to. The bond with her mate had been severed,

eded t

distance, needed to be free of the pack that had rejected h

ke through

high alert. She heard the crack of twigs underfoot, the s

figure that emerged from the darkness was large-tall, broad-sho

e a t

ess the situation, the figure steppe

n. A

Be

around them with an intensity that made her pulse quicken. His dark hair was damp with sweat,

. Aria's breath caught in her throat. She could feel the weight of his

egs wobbled beneath her, the dizzi

she asked, her

t his lips remained a

energy between them shifted. His scent hit her then-deep and wi

bond forming, the pull, the undeniabl

n't right. S

g the same thing. He stepped closer, cautiousl

to be close to anyone right now. But there was something about him. The force of

ly, though her breath was s

s touch spread through her like wildfire. Her heart beat faster, and s

commanding. There was no room for a

ow who he was. But her body responded to him in

taking a step closer. "But

arms lifting her effortlessly. His scent enveloped her, and for a brief moment, she felt something stir

he murmured, as

art sk

g the fragile wall she had built around herself.

g. She wanted to fight this

, she c

. His warmth was comforting, and despite everything, despi

a

the last thing she felt before losing consciousness was