should've

it d

t rewrote

mouth on hers, the wild heat that simmered beneath their skin. The bond between them wasn'

forest h

was already

moment Celyn returned to the Nigh

heart sinking.

her arm, fingers tight. "You reek

didn't

dn't h

Celyn, this isn't a game. If Father finds out, he wo

risk," Celyn

u're acting like he's just some boy in the w

what we

she'd been slapped. "Y

idn't d

. "Then you're going

the border, Lucas stood before h

voice like steel. "What were you d

't flinch.

ur mother," Thorne spat

blood we

" the Alpha said. "

N

hoed, sharp

even over his son. "You would

snapped. "You started the war. You slaug

came fast

didn't fall. Blood d

orne growled. "Then prove it. Bring her here. L

blazing. "I will bring he

Good. Then they'll know

by the rive

ive with antici

something shifted in her chest. He l

" she asked, re

ch her. Didn'

said, "My fa

oze. "

e to bring

step back. "T

kno

y are yo

w a fire that refused to die. "Because I'd rathe

eath c

yn," he whispered. "You're the only par

lls cr

crum

elieve you,"

come w

widened

r. We show them this bond i

the moonlit wate

lara's fear. The weight of generati

n her hair. His blood on the leaves. Th

out and to

with

make it to

hat n

the air sharp

ed instant

rough the trees, dodging roots and shadows.

the world

sh. A

around Lucas mid-stri

it hit, his b

g at the net with her dagger. Spa

surroun

asks emerged from

ang. Not S

sid

nd cloaked, his voice cold. "

ou?" Celyn

rity," he said. "And yo

red, sending her flying int

she

he man ordered. "S

black liquid that hissed agains

st in time to see them ra

N

d something ins

ed forward, b

er white wolf form gl

ters he

la

fangs sinking into flesh, claws rippi

ll, she shifted back

ious, his skin burn

" she begged.

gers tw

lyn

e. I've

move, a figure step

ood ra

a Th

"This is worse

g herself betwee

n't tou

"You're brave. I'll en

and a snarl rippe

rom C

ehind

her

ar

Alpha, claws aim

ne moved

h a single blow, and sh

scre

her, eyes glowing. "Yo

th

kne

re emerged. H

de fl

ed back, clutc

Celyn and whispered,

dn't h

houlder, grabbed Elara with her o

't stop u

lara was bleeding. And C

e fugiti

e world want

burned inside her

vo

the hair from his face, and

. But they don't kno