gold, and the air smelled of dew and smoke from the early-lit bonfires. I rearranged jars of salves and tinctures-already perfectly ordered-to k

f whispered, restle

nore

mson ribbons, cheeks flushed. "They're here! The scout

a jar of elderberry syrup.

. "*You* need to st

ain path, their postures rigid, while elders chanted blessings. Children perched on shoulders, cran

rn b

s emerged-Kieran at the front, riding a midnight-black stallion, his broad frame cloaked in furs. Even

essing. A scar cut through his left brow, pale against his sun-darkened skin. When his gaze brushed mine, my breath hitche

e look

rs clapping his shoulders. Lila whistled, loud and brash, while I

la

hrust a basket of bandages into my arms.

eful for the e

ed on a bench, his forearm bleeding. I knelt beside him, focusing on the wound-a shallow ga

t today," Ga

deeper," I said, wrappi

't stepped in. Got between me and a Nights

d. *Of course he d

flexed his arm, testing th

upplies, when the lo

wn. His eyes locked onto mine, and the pull returned, fiercer, like a rope yanking m

N

aze. "Are you

use.

his jaw clenched, nostrils flaring as if scenting the air. *My scent*. Lavend

la

the sound of m

wou

ck, clutching the basket t

n't st

entle tug-it was a wildfire, threatening to burn every wall I'd built. But Kieran hadn

her grin faltering as she studied me

t ti

toward the feast. "Come on. You've earned som

ire roared, laughter echoing as the pack celebrated Kieran's return. He s

stare. "He's di

s people,"

t waiting." She wi

on my cid

d you see how he

ching for landfall. "He

ugh the noise-long and mournful. The pack fell sil

ss will bless our Alpha with his true ma

stars. Lila howled with them, fierce and bright. I p

sharp enough to erase the memory of his. But when I closed my eye

this way*,

f disa