st the manor's walls. Eira stirred beneath the covers, disoriented by the unfamiliar sti

rush; the storm, the wolf,

armth still lingered in the stone hearth. Her boots sat by the door, crusted with half-

ome in. Touch

her more than

The world outside was a pristine sheet of white. Trees bent under the weight of snow, icicles dripped fr

ke he belonged to it. He spoke to someone she couldn't see, gestured onc

start packing, to leave. But she remained at the

broke th

er tray laden with breakfast. Fresh bread, spiced eggs

a table near the fire. "The Alpha requests your

s?" Eira

ps. "It's not a word he uses often

f I re

ed," she said calmly

o I'm a guest...

ut until the Alpha understands what y

ated. "You make it sou

s often are. Especially when they d

of those words ripp

peaking i

rne doesn't welcome surprises. And you, Eira A

-

windows with his back to the room. Daylight poured through the glass, catching in his

steps. "You're awake

ize I was on y

ouse has one," he s

somehow more dangerous than the night

eep at all?

t sleep well. Not when there

mea

now how many wolves would've torn your

s before. I'm no

e low. "You're not.

e heat. She could feel the energy ro

ream. You didn't. Your scent shifted, but you

rying no

e challe

dn't r

he chair opposit

seat. He poured coffee for bot

bout your

abrupt, she almost l

nct. Not resistance. Something deeper

It was strong, bitter,

tayed anywhere long. My mother died when I was litt

istened,

ing about... this. Ab

eve you'r

m hu

gged at his mout

what

"That's what we're

-

o roam the halls, browse the library, and walk the courtyard but never alone. Every time she tried to go further, someone

rne was

t she knew: they were waitin

gh windows overlooking the woods. Eira called it her glass box. It

that unsettled her. The shadows shifted too much

, she he

thers full of dominance and warning. But one always pierced the

ci

s his. Somehow

-

vening, he invi

hem. The meal was elegant; venison, roasted root vegetables, red wine spiced w

inding Winterb

Quiet.

ows on

oes m

catching her off guard. For a moment, he l

spirit,"

e defe

not so di

n. "Tell me the truth,

lready

y i

a w

nto one. A wolf who we

es

e rest

pa

asked softly

, stopping beside her. He leaned dow

now yet. B

-

ss. The wind outside beat against the windows, c

as shifting

eflection stared back. She looked too pale, eyes too

beat, her reflection

chest. The image corrected itself, return

't imagi

nside her w

-

eneath the moon, snow swirling around him i

anging,"

ing," Luci

he Luna line

aw tensed.

u're r

ice was qui

st a Luna. Sh