The cursed Luna's Betrayal

f wind, and every distant sound of pursuit sending a jolt through his veins. He couldn't let his guard down-not for a second. The hunters were clos

going to make

r trust in a world where the taste of betrayal was all that he was left with; it had still not cooled to the touch within his mind. Exiled for a crime he didn't commit, falsely accuse

with no hope of respite. Yet, he knew the hunters would not rest-not because his mark had burnt out but because of what he had concealed inside: secrets and a pro

unmistakable smell of blood and fea

wolf

snatched his head sharply to one side, feeling the sound ripple out through the silent air.

e could leave it. Let it die like everything else in his life. Let it rot in the woo

ly worked the snare from where it dug into the wolf's flesh. The pup whimpered weakly and Kael's chest tightens.

y to the creature. His voice

at the snare with practiced ease. The cold wires of the metal cut against his skin, and he grimaced, wrenching it

have tim

methodical, disciplined-too much so for Kael to make a break for it without being caught. His

et," he w

felt like it could be his last, every breath drawing him closer to the end of this chase. The pup in his arms trembled bu

the only o

rning? A sign from the pack, or perhaps something else? He didn't know, but it wasn't good

was no goi

RT

. It was an unremarkable night, the sort when the only sounds one hears are crickets chirping, the soft rustling of leaves in th

or, Elder Myra, had warned her to be cautious, but how could she prepare for the unknown? It was always th

seen injuries before, but nothing like this. The skin was torn and bloodied, but it would heal. That was what Lila

pen. Lila was startled, leaping with each beat of her heart as her gaze

a

eyes sharp and keen. His breathing came in ragged spurts, his clothes st

nd with some dark shadow following him. His body trembled slightly and before L

ow, husky voice. It had a raw edg

he had once belonged to. The rogue. The outcast. The one whose mark had been burned in som

. She couldn't l

hest. There was something in his eyes-something that called to her. The healer in her c

he said quietly, w

side. His shirt was ripped along his ribs, and had a great h

y, her hands shaking as sh

silver eyes holding something unreadable within them. Perhaps it was just exhaustion or maybe that odd sensa

stretched, thick and he

inally said, brea

small wolf pup resting on the table. It seemed almost as if he was trying to make sen

art hammering. "Wha

ns," Kael said, his voice tight.

k more. She had learned long ago that some things couldn't be