ra'

growled the scarred guard,

eyes up. Ten years as a rogue had taught her o

h disgust. The mate mark on Astra's arm throbbed painfully,

rd. "The Moon Goddess mus

re hatred in his voice cut deeper than she'd imagined. Sti

," she shot back. "Being mated to an arrog

raised his hand to strike her, but Al

ldly. "I need time to think abou

clearing. As they marched her through the trees, her mind rac

e of the area and shoved her inside. The door slam

ed, a small table, and a barred window. Not exactly a five-star hot

r mate mark. The crescent moon and st

she told it. "Found my mate

nervous. Was Alaric coming back alread

w wasn't Alaric's. It was a man with

hispered. "It

"Damon! What are you doin

ince you ran from Kron's place. I saw them catch you." He frowned at

rently. Not that he wants

rvive when things got tough, showing her how to hunt and hide. He was older

ly. "That Alpha... he's scary, Astra. They say he

h Astra's stomach.

amon ended. "He'll use you or kill yo

ronger than ever with Alaric so close. But Damon wa

e? There are gua

ade friends with one of the kitchen staff.

tra. Maybe they could

utes," Damon whispered. "There's a shi

y from her mate went against every sense she had. The mark

the back window. Damon was there, quickl

The next patrol come

ed Astra squeeze through the tight space. Her foot

op right

ting partly to wolf form. His hands b

Astra ahead of him.

ra cried, but Damon was alre

owled. "I'l

ds of fighting. Each step away from the Northern Pack area made the

they might burst. When she finally stopped to catch her breath, lea

called soft

t her only friend to die? And for what? To

e, listening closely. Footsteps a

legs trembled with tiredness. She c

r voice that made her blood

twisting his face. A patch covered the wound

e, girl," he growled, moving clos

ape route. But Kron wasn't alone. Two other wolve

"You're mine. I paid good money for you." "I belong to n

faded. "What's this?" He grabbed her arm roug

ed through the trees. All four wolves turned

es torn and bloody from his fight

blue eyes glowing with rage. Around them, at least ten Nort

c said, his voice deadly c

r. "Alpha Alaric? I didn't

dered. "You dare to

amon in confusion. Why was Alaric

, her voice small.

eet her eyes. "I

e easy flight. Damon knowing exactly where

e whispered, feeling sick. "

," Damon started, bu

eyes locking with Astra's. "You ran from me, litt

s Alaric neared. Had Damon misled her

the Alpha who hated her and the master who wanted to punis

her arm, his touch sending el

s, nodding toward Kron and his friends. "My ma

was the look of anguish on Damon's face and the terror