Novels by isabellasnow171

Chapter Five — The Name on the Photograph"No one leaves this fortress until we know what she is."Cordelia’s order traveled faster than the sunrise. By breakfast, the guards had doubled outside my suite, the servants had stopped meeting my eyes, and the council had summoned every elder in Night Shadow. The story had already changed three times: I was a witch, a curse-maker, a White Wolf, and a spy sent to destroy the Voss bloodline.No one seemed interested in the simplest truth. I was a frightened woman who had been forced to poison a man she had never met.Kieran arrived with a tray of untouched food and a stack of records. "The council wants to examine you.""Then tell them no.""I did."I blinked, suspicious of how easily he said it."They will try again," he continued. "Cordelia believes your power could save the pack. Others believe it could be used against us. Both groups will call their demands necessary.""And what do you believe?"He set the records on the table. "I believe

Chapter Four — A Healer in Chains"If you touch her with that vial, I will break your hand."Kieran’s threat stopped the physician halfway across the room. The man lowered the vial, but his eyes remained fixed on me with the hungry focus of someone who had found a rare specimen."I am trying to save you, Alpha.""Then begin by listening."The elders exchanged uneasy looks. Cordelia folded her arms, displeased that Kieran had defended me twice in one night. I stood near the door, keeping distance between myself and every person in the chamber. The bond still pulled at my chest, but I refused to let it dictate what I would do."I will answer questions," I said. "I will not be cut, drugged, or forced to use a power I do not understand."One elder scoffed. "You are in no position to set conditions.""Then you do not need my cooperation."Kieran studied me, and I saw a faint spark of respect beneath his exhaustion. He turned to the council. "She will be moved to a guarded suite. She will r

Chapter Three — The Blood Moon Bond"Keep everyone away from me!" Kieran’s roar shook dust from the dungeon ceiling.I heard the command through the corridor before the guards unlocked my cell. Their faces were pale, and one had blood running from his nose. The air smelled of storm rain and something burned."What happened to him?" I asked."Stay silent," one guard snapped, pulling me forward.They dragged me upstairs and through a side passage into a chamber lined with old stone carvings. Kieran stood in the center, bent over with one hand braced against a table. Black veins crawled up his neck and vanished beneath his collar. His wolf pushed against his skin, making his shoulders jerk as he fought to keep control.Cordelia watched from the doorway, her face hard with fear she would never admit. "The curse has never risen this quickly.""Because of her," another man muttered.Kieran lifted his head. His eyes were almost entirely silver. "Leave us."No one moved."That was an order."

Chapter Two — The Alpha’s Prisoner"Kneel."The command struck the dungeon corridor like a whip. Two guards forced me down, but I kept my chin lifted even as the stone bruised my knees. I would not give Kieran Voss the satisfaction of watching me beg.He stood several paces away, his black shirt open at the throat and his expression carved from ice. The feast had ended in chaos. Guests had been escorted from the hall, the doors sealed, and every Silver Creek servant questioned. Iris was somewhere beyond the guard line, and not knowing whether she was safe made my fear sharp enough to swallow."You tried to poison me in my own house," Kieran said."I did."The guards shifted, startled by my answer. Kieran’s eyes narrowed."Who ordered it?""If I tell you, will you let Iris go?""You are bargaining from a cell.""And you are asking questions you already know I cannot answer without putting someone else in danger."He came closer. The air changed with him, carrying the scent of cedar, sm

Chapter One — The Price of Obedience"You will kill Alpha Kieran Voss, or Iris will die in your place."Gareth Flint did not raise his voice when he threatened me. He never needed to. He sat behind his polished desk in the Silver Creek manor, turning a silver ring around one finger as if he were discussing the weather instead of deciding whether someone would live.I stared at the vial on the desk. The poison inside was clear, almost beautiful, and small enough to hide in the seam of my sleeve. My hands remained still because Gareth had taught me that trembling only encouraged him."You understand the instructions?" he asked."I enter Night Shadow as a guest, wait for the welcome feast, and put three drops in the Alpha’s drink.""And you do not improvise." His gaze shifted to Iris, who stood beside the door with her wrists clenched together. "If you fail, the girl pays for it."Iris had been the only person in Silver Creek who treated me as if I were human. She had smuggled food into