Laura did fall asleep, though. She woke to early morning light filtering through unfamiliar windows and the realization that Zephyr hadn't returned. Whatever emergency had called him away must have been serious.She slipped out of his chambers, hoping to reach her room without being seen. Her luck ran out in the main hallway."Well, well." Selene's voice dripped with venom. "Look who's doing the walk of shame."Laura turned slowly, lifting her chin. "Good morning to you too, Selene."The beautiful wolf stalked closer, her perfect features twisted with disdain. "Did you really think sharing his bed would make you belong here?""I don't need to explain myself to you," Laura said, moving to walk past her.Selene stepped into her path. "He'll never choose you, you know. An Alpha needs a proper mate—someone who understands what it means to lead a pack. Not some stray."The words hit their mark, but Laura refused to show it. "Are you done? Because I've heard this speech before, and it wasn'
Laura spent the next few hours searching for Zephyr with no luck. The border situation must have been worse than she thought. Everyone she asked just shook their heads, saying the Alpha was still locked in meetings with the council.With a heavy heart, she returned to her room and began packing her few belongings. The letter from Alpha Dante sat on her bedside table, its presence impossible to ignore. Tomorrow would come whether she was ready or not.---Dawn broke over Shadowfang territory with a chill in the air. Gray clouds hung low, threatening rain, as Laura carried her bag to the pack house's main entrance. Word of her departure had spread, and several pack members came to say goodbye, including Kai, who'd trained with her in combat."Don't let those Northern wolves push you around," he said with a grin. "Remember what I taught you about using their strength against them."Laura smiled, grateful for the distraction from the hollow feeling in her chest. "I remember. Thanks, Kai."
Kieran lounged on his throne, one leg thrown carelessly over the armrest. The meeting with the pack elders had dragged on too long, and now all he wanted was the comfort of his new consort.As if summoned by his thoughts, Elise sauntered into the room, her hips swaying with each step. She slid onto his lap, her fingers tracing the sharp line of his jaw."You look tense, my Alpha," she purred. "Let me help you relax."He was about to respond when the doors to the hall burst open. A young scout rushed in, clutching a folded piece of paper. The boy's face was pale, his eyes wide with fear."Alpha Kieran," the scout stammered, bowing low. "A message was delivered to our borders. The messenger wouldn't say who sent it."Kieran frowned, irritation flickering across his face. "And this couldn't wait?""It's marked urgent, sir."With a heavy sigh, Kieran motioned the boy forward. He snatched the paper from the scout's trembling hands and unfolded it.The moment his eyes scanned the first line
The rhythmic sound of hoofbeats had been Laura's only companion for hours as they traveled farther from Shadowfang territory. The mountains she'd grown familiar with over the past few days were now just a hazy outline behind them.Alpha Dante rode ahead, his broad shoulders tense as he scanned the horizon. His two warriors flanked them, silent and watchful. No one had spoken much since they'd left, which suited Laura fine. The hollow ache in her chest made conversation impossible anyway.As dusk approached, Dante raised his hand, signaling a stop. "We camp here tonight," he announced, dismounting in one fluid motion.Laura looked around. They'd reached a small clearing surrounded by thick pines. A stream trickled nearby, its gentle sound almost soothing against the heavy silence that had followed them all day."Why here?" she asked, her voice rough from disuse. "We could make it to the valley before nightfall."Dante turned to her, one eyebrow raised. "Questioning me already, little w
The weather had turned just as Laura predicted. Rain poured from the sky for hours, soaking through their cloaks and turning the path into slippery mud. By noon, they were all drenched and miserable, but Dante pushed on without complaint, so no one else dared mention stopping. Laura pulled her wet hood tighter, watching Dante's broad back as he led them forward. Two days of traveling together had done little to ease the tension between them. If anything, each night around the campfire only made her more aware of him in ways she didn't want to be. The valley path had been the right choice—they'd made good time despite the weather. But now they faced a new challenge: crossing the Silvermist River that cut through the valley floor. Laura felt uneasy as they approached the riverbank. The normally gentle Silvermist had transformed into a churning, angry beast, swollen with rainwater from the mountains. Dante dismounted, studying the rushing water with narrowed eyes. His warriors—Renn a
The next morning dawned clear, but Laura could see dark clouds gathering in the distance. She packed her tent quickly, her muscles still aching from yesterday's river rescue. Dante approached, his eyes sweeping over the horizon. "We need to cross Ravenstone Pass before that storm hits," he announced, his voice leaving no room for argument.Laura knew of Ravenstone Pass. It was steep and dangerous even in good weather."Is that wise?" she asked quietly. "Those clouds look heavy."Dante's jaw tightened. "Afraid of a little climb, little wolf?"That nickname again. Laura's spine stiffened. "I can handle anything you throw at me, Alpha."A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "We'll see."As they rode toward the mountains, Laura couldn't help studying Dante's broad back. The way he sat tall in his saddle, confident and powerful. His dark hair curled slightly at his nape where it had grown too long. She caught herself wondering how it would feel between her fingers and quickly looked
Laura woke to sunlight streaming through the cabin's small window. Her body ached from yesterday's climb, but that wasn't what made her cheeks burn as she opened her eyes.Dante sat across the room, watching her. His dark eyes never left her face, his expression unreadable yet somehow too knowing. Last night's dream rushed back, making her stomach flip.She looked away first, busying herself with folding her blanket. Did he know? Had she made noises in her sleep? The thought made her want to crawl under a rock and die."Sleep well?" His deep voice carried a hint of something that made her pulse jump."Fine," she snapped, not meeting his eyes."Interesting dreams?" The question hung in the air between them.Laura's head shot up, eyes wide, panicked. "What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"A slow smile spread across his face. "Nothing at all, little wolf."She wanted to slap that smirk right off his stupidly handsome face. Worse, deep down she wanted to kiss it off. Both thoughts made
Laura spent the rest of the day trying to avoid Dante's burning gaze. Everywhere she turned, he seemed to be there, watching her with those golden-flecked eyes that made her stomach do weird flips.The Crimson Fang territory was truly nothing like Shadowfang's fancy halls.As Laura followed Kade through the settlement, she couldn't help thinking about Zephyr's gentle smile, the way his eyes softened when he looked at her. Then her traitorous mind would flash to Dante's knowing smirk, the heat of his hand on hers.What is wrong with me? She kicked a stone, sending it flying into the bushes. I'm not here for romance. I'm here for...But even her purpose seemed foggy now. Be a free person? Escape Lucian's control? All of it felt distant compared to the chaos in her heart."You look like you want to murder someone," Renn commented, falling into step beside her."Maybe I do," Laura muttered. Renn laughed. "Let me guess—our charming Alpha?"Laura shot him a glare that just made him laugh h
Laura's lungs burned as she pushed through the dense forest. The wound on her leg throbbed with each step, but she couldn't slow down. Not with Dante so close behind.The trees thinned ahead, and Laura's heart sank as she burst into a clearing. She skidded to a stop, pebbles scattering beneath her feet.A cliff edge. She'd run right to the edge of a cliff with a waterfall thundering down beside it. The drop was at least fifty feet to the churning river below."No, no, no," Laura whispered, turning to find another path.Too late.Dante emerged from the trees, his chest rising and falling with steady breaths. Unlike her, he wasn't even winded. His golden eyes locked on hers, and that infuriating smile spread across his face."Nowhere left to run, little wolf."Laura backed up, feeling loose stones shift beneath her heels. "Stay back.""The hunt is over," Dante said, taking a slow step toward her. "You did well—better than anyone ever has. But it's time to surrender."Laura glanced at t
By midday, Laura was deep in unfamiliar territory. The forest had grown denser, the trees taller and more ancient. Strange sounds echoed through the underbrush—snaps and growls that made the hair on the back of her neck stand up.She wasn't alone out here.A low growl froze her in her tracks. Slowly, Laura turned to face three massive wolves with matted gray fur and yellow eyes. Not werewolves—just regular wolves, but much larger than any she'd seen before."Nice doggies," she whispered, taking a step backward.The lead wolf snarled, baring teeth as long as her fingers.Laura's heart hammered in her chest. She knew enough about wolf behavior to understand running would be a death sentence. But standing her ground against three predators didn't seem much better.The lead wolf lunged forward. Laura dodged, but not fast enough. Pain seared through her leg as teeth grazed her calf."Shit!" she hissed, stumbling back against a tree.The wolves circled her, closing in. Laura looked around d
Laura ran into the forest, her heart pounding against her ribs. The cool morning air filled her lungs as she pushed herself harder, putting as much distance between herself and the Crimson Fang pack as possible.Ten minutes. That's all the head start she had.She couldn't outrun an Alpha wolf—especially not in his own territory. Her only chance was to outsmart him.Laura paused to catch her breath, scanning her surroundings. Back when she was a warrior, before Kieran had taken her as his luna, she'd learned tracking and evasion. Those skills had gathered dust since then, but they weren't forgotten."Think, Laura," she whispered to herself before coming to a realization. "Water. I need water."Rivers masked scent. Even an Alpha's nose couldn't track through running water.She listened carefully, then smiled when she caught the distant sound of rushing water. Picking up speed again, Laura headed toward it, being careful to leave as few tracks as possible.---Dante stood at the edge of
Laura spent the rest of the day trying to avoid Dante's burning gaze. Everywhere she turned, he seemed to be there, watching her with those golden-flecked eyes that made her stomach do weird flips.The Crimson Fang territory was truly nothing like Shadowfang's fancy halls.As Laura followed Kade through the settlement, she couldn't help thinking about Zephyr's gentle smile, the way his eyes softened when he looked at her. Then her traitorous mind would flash to Dante's knowing smirk, the heat of his hand on hers.What is wrong with me? She kicked a stone, sending it flying into the bushes. I'm not here for romance. I'm here for...But even her purpose seemed foggy now. Be a free person? Escape Lucian's control? All of it felt distant compared to the chaos in her heart."You look like you want to murder someone," Renn commented, falling into step beside her."Maybe I do," Laura muttered. Renn laughed. "Let me guess—our charming Alpha?"Laura shot him a glare that just made him laugh h
Laura woke to sunlight streaming through the cabin's small window. Her body ached from yesterday's climb, but that wasn't what made her cheeks burn as she opened her eyes.Dante sat across the room, watching her. His dark eyes never left her face, his expression unreadable yet somehow too knowing. Last night's dream rushed back, making her stomach flip.She looked away first, busying herself with folding her blanket. Did he know? Had she made noises in her sleep? The thought made her want to crawl under a rock and die."Sleep well?" His deep voice carried a hint of something that made her pulse jump."Fine," she snapped, not meeting his eyes."Interesting dreams?" The question hung in the air between them.Laura's head shot up, eyes wide, panicked. "What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"A slow smile spread across his face. "Nothing at all, little wolf."She wanted to slap that smirk right off his stupidly handsome face. Worse, deep down she wanted to kiss it off. Both thoughts made
The next morning dawned clear, but Laura could see dark clouds gathering in the distance. She packed her tent quickly, her muscles still aching from yesterday's river rescue. Dante approached, his eyes sweeping over the horizon. "We need to cross Ravenstone Pass before that storm hits," he announced, his voice leaving no room for argument.Laura knew of Ravenstone Pass. It was steep and dangerous even in good weather."Is that wise?" she asked quietly. "Those clouds look heavy."Dante's jaw tightened. "Afraid of a little climb, little wolf?"That nickname again. Laura's spine stiffened. "I can handle anything you throw at me, Alpha."A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "We'll see."As they rode toward the mountains, Laura couldn't help studying Dante's broad back. The way he sat tall in his saddle, confident and powerful. His dark hair curled slightly at his nape where it had grown too long. She caught herself wondering how it would feel between her fingers and quickly looked
The weather had turned just as Laura predicted. Rain poured from the sky for hours, soaking through their cloaks and turning the path into slippery mud. By noon, they were all drenched and miserable, but Dante pushed on without complaint, so no one else dared mention stopping. Laura pulled her wet hood tighter, watching Dante's broad back as he led them forward. Two days of traveling together had done little to ease the tension between them. If anything, each night around the campfire only made her more aware of him in ways she didn't want to be. The valley path had been the right choice—they'd made good time despite the weather. But now they faced a new challenge: crossing the Silvermist River that cut through the valley floor. Laura felt uneasy as they approached the riverbank. The normally gentle Silvermist had transformed into a churning, angry beast, swollen with rainwater from the mountains. Dante dismounted, studying the rushing water with narrowed eyes. His warriors—Renn a
The rhythmic sound of hoofbeats had been Laura's only companion for hours as they traveled farther from Shadowfang territory. The mountains she'd grown familiar with over the past few days were now just a hazy outline behind them.Alpha Dante rode ahead, his broad shoulders tense as he scanned the horizon. His two warriors flanked them, silent and watchful. No one had spoken much since they'd left, which suited Laura fine. The hollow ache in her chest made conversation impossible anyway.As dusk approached, Dante raised his hand, signaling a stop. "We camp here tonight," he announced, dismounting in one fluid motion.Laura looked around. They'd reached a small clearing surrounded by thick pines. A stream trickled nearby, its gentle sound almost soothing against the heavy silence that had followed them all day."Why here?" she asked, her voice rough from disuse. "We could make it to the valley before nightfall."Dante turned to her, one eyebrow raised. "Questioning me already, little w
Kieran lounged on his throne, one leg thrown carelessly over the armrest. The meeting with the pack elders had dragged on too long, and now all he wanted was the comfort of his new consort.As if summoned by his thoughts, Elise sauntered into the room, her hips swaying with each step. She slid onto his lap, her fingers tracing the sharp line of his jaw."You look tense, my Alpha," she purred. "Let me help you relax."He was about to respond when the doors to the hall burst open. A young scout rushed in, clutching a folded piece of paper. The boy's face was pale, his eyes wide with fear."Alpha Kieran," the scout stammered, bowing low. "A message was delivered to our borders. The messenger wouldn't say who sent it."Kieran frowned, irritation flickering across his face. "And this couldn't wait?""It's marked urgent, sir."With a heavy sigh, Kieran motioned the boy forward. He snatched the paper from the scout's trembling hands and unfolded it.The moment his eyes scanned the first line