't stop

or strict like Bloodfang, where everyone feared making a si

r tent, two women sparred playfully, throwing punches and laughing without anger.

ldr

rogue

n know that

ed, is it?" Kael asked be

gues were all violent and dange

gh things that would break most people. But danger doesn't mean we

something de

Community.

d never r

n to notice us. Conversations stopped. Laughter

of how I looked, barefoot, bleeding, wearing on

t?" someon

's h

id Kael

he al

urge to run into the forest, to shift and di

ispered. They're cu

ure if I b

s Selene. She needs help, food, rest, and medical car

p went

ean, and fierce-looking, with copper-red hair that glowed

r?" she asked Kael. "Yo

ow en

aze locked on me. "Bringing strang

yr

trust too easily, but I don't." She stopped righ

ightened. "

rough the camp. U

peated, frowning. "V

when she sa

noti

sked, voice calm but c

ished," I

hy

n hung heav

ing simple, something harmle

said quietly. "Then he exiled me. And when that wasn't

le

ust a little. "Your mate rej

barely made i

lright. You can stay. But if you cause trouble, yo

knees nearly buckled. "

e others. "This girl stays until she h

e ans

t me, "Come on. Let's patch you up bef

ing, jars filled with salves lined a shelf, and the air sme

dered, pointi

oo tired

the doorway. "N

pplies. "Go let the guards know we have

but not before giv

ael had placed on my shoulder. When she saw the

es

er-ti

hink

e poured something on

it

my lip so hard I tasted blood, tear

until she finally spoke

n't a

Hartley," she said. "Cr

know

ping the wound again. "What I don't get is why he'd

wolfless. He said I'

oze. "W

odd

not anymor

up sharpl

e way Kael looked at you like he wasn't sure if you were dangerous

no point l

t impossible." She dabbed salve o

sita

and risk

and let her f

olf," I w

a f

Then she sat back slowly and

m n

olves are

rentl

nder Victor rejected you. He had a Shadow Wol

quietly. "You ca

eyes bright. "Shadow Wolves were legends. They could control darkness

ul," I murmured. "I

. Rejection, exile, a first shift, and a hunt-all in one night. You're not weak. You'

ut

aid firmly. "T

me under. My eyes closed, and for the first

med of

Wolves with glowing eyes. Sh

ep, echo

hter wakes. T

a gasp, he

cracks in the wall. Morning.

e, grinding herbs. She

e said. "How

der ached but less, my bru

fted, serious now. "

ut w

e border this morning." Her eyes met mine.

od ran

yra said quietly. "And it's only a m