LOGINThen I see something I wasn’t expecting to see today: the Alpha Prince and his brother arriving for the show.I reach over to get Sebastian’s attention, pointing to the werewolves we weren’t expecting. Sebastian curses, then looks up at the scarf wrapped around the lower half of my face, just like i
NatashaI try to relax into the trunk of the tree, but it’s hard to truly relax when I’m on a branch high up enough that a fall could kill me.“You have to sleep, Natasha. If you’re too tired to keep your eyes open tomorrow, you’re useless to us.”“I know,” I snap at Sebastian’s harsh words.This wi
Sebastian leads me to the left with a gentle hand on my hip.The six of us spread out in pairs, still able to see each other as we hide behind trees. Once we’re all in place, we peek around our trees to the horrific sight ahead.The lone werewolf sits on the ground with his back to us. Two humans li
NatashaI’m already in my training gear, so I use the time that Marion and Sebastian take to argue over whether or not I’m joining him to braid back my hair in a French braid. It takes much less time than it used to since it’s so short now.It’s Sebastian saying, “Please don’t make her prove she can
NatashaI stand next to Sebastian, the rows of tents at our backs. In front of us is a training area similar to where Isaiah and Raleigh taught me to fight. Except the training grounds at the palace have thick, plush mats on which werewolves spar.Here, humans spar on areas piled with a couple inche
“The other Quarters,” Marions answers. “That was one of our problems last time we revolted against the kingdom. I was trying to organize and lead too many humans by myself.”Sebastian’s breath comes out heavy. He doesn’t like how much Marion is revealing to me.“Over the past two decades,” she goes
AmeliaIt is its own sort of torture, sitting in a cell I chose to walk into, wondering when my fate might change. If it will change. Or if I just sealed my own fate.My own death.In the moment, it meant everything that Prince Owen gave me the option to flee or stay. It meant everything that he lis
OwenI sit in the banquet hall, counting the minutes. I nurse the same jug of ale the entire time to avoid anyone offering to refill my cup, making sure to perform the appropriate humble yet proud response whenever someone points out that second place still hasn’t completed the task yet.I watch my
“We can take a break if you want, now that we’re in the tunnel,” the prince offers.“I’m fine,” I lie, trying to outrun my memories of Molly’s death.“Really?” he asks. “Because your breathing became significantly heavier since we got into this tunnel.”I’d like to blame his werewolf hearing for kno
AmeliaEvery head at the encampment turns to the north, to where Prince Owen shoulders his way through the crowd with a limp body in his arms – human or werewolf, I’m not sure. In my peripheral vision, the guard’s hand slowly retreats away from the stool I’m on as he rises to his feet. My heart beat







