LOGIN"Don't go through with this." The warning died on my lips as I looked into Tyler’s eyes. I couldn't scent whether he had truly purged the rot from his soul or not, but he was Ruth’s only pup. If there was even a shred of a chance they could mend the bond, I had to try."Truly? Thank the Great Spirit! I won't let you down, Brooke!"The following dawn, Tyler and I made our way to the transport hub. The winter winds were howling, and the trail was buried under a thick, white shroud. The transport back to the forest village only ran every two hours.We were lucky to catch the shuttle shortly after we arrived. Throughout the journey, Tyler kept probing me for details about Ruth’s life over the last eight cycles. I answered his questions with polite, guarded smiles, failing to notice the predatory glint of greed flickering in his pupils.We reached the outpost at seven that evening. The winter sun had long since dipped below the peaks, leaving the wilderness in a violent, silent darkness. T
"You must be out of your mind, rushing a silver blade with nothing but your bare skin."Calvu felt a cold prickle on her neck as Frank continued to berate her. He didn't howl or roar; his voice carried a flat, frustrating disappointment that felt far more lethal than a physical strike. He had the eyes of an ancient wolf, the kind that could scent the secrets in your blood. Like a pup caught stealing from the kill-pile, Calvu kept her gaze on her boots."The situation was turning sour," she muttered, her jaw set. "Lucas was about to lose his throat. I wasn't going to crouch in the shadows while a high-ranking officer got butchered. I might be healing and small in stature, but I’m a seasoned warrior. Lucas is a strategist who’s been shielded by the pack walls since he was a cub."She didn't soften the blow. Lucas winced, dragging a hand through his hair. He looked like he wanted to snap back but realized he had no ground to stand on. This tiny, bloodied female was right—she was the supe
"Shift out of the way!" Calvu snarled, her voice a low vibration of warning as she shoved Lucas hard.Lucas stumbled, his eyes wide as he stared at the woman. He looked like he’d scented a ghost, paralyzed in place while she closed the gap with a speed that defied her ragged appearance. Seeing that Lucas was still frozen in the path of the silver, Calvu lunged forward. She slammed her body between them, one hand catching the woman’s wrist in a bone-crushing grip while the other clawed for the knife."Get back, you bitch! This has nothing to do with you! I want that snake’s head!" the woman shrieked. Her hair was a tangled mess and her eyes were bloodshot, burning with a frantic, unstable heat.A shifter with silver is always a lethal threat, but a crazed one is a nightmare. Calvu could feel her own healing skin stretching and tearing; her previous wound was far from closed. She couldn't do much more than pin the woman down as they grappled on the cold stone floor of the garage."Calm
The demand from Samson hung in the frigid air like a challenge. Logan didn't blink. He simply tilted his chin, his dark eyes flashing with a predatory, freezing light that made the surrounding high-bloods recoil."You really don't know the wolf standing in front of you, do you?" Logan’s voice was a low, dangerous rumble. "After everything you've done to purge me from your history, why would I lift a claw for your treaties? What is the prize this time? Are you offering me a position as a kennel-boy? Or perhaps I can sweep the bones from your feast hall? Your jokes are as weak as your bloodline."The silence that followed was absolute. The Pierce family stood frozen, unable to process the sheer audacity. Was this lethal, composed male really the same discarded failure they had trampled on for cycles? Without waiting for a response, Logan clamped his hand around my wrist."We’re leaving," he whispered.He led me straight through the center of the hall, walking past the High Alpha as if h
I couldn't help but let a low rumble of amusement escape my chest."Fine, fine. Let’s find a quiet corner and trade some scents. I'm sure you have plenty of stories to tell about the southern trails."That was all the opening Curt needed. He clamped a weathered hand onto my shoulder and steered me toward a heavy timber table near the hearth.Ritchie and his pack of sycophants stood frozen, their jaws practically hitting the stone floor. They were paralyzed; they couldn't exactly start a brawl or howl in protest without looking like undisciplined pups in front of the High Matriarch. Still, I could feel their eyes burning into the back of my neck every few seconds. After all, half the wolves in this hall had traveled leagues just for a chance to bow before Curt Benton and catch a whiff of his influence. Who would have believed that the family stray was actually on brotherhood terms with the old legend?"What the hell is this play?" Ritchie hissed to his lead enforcer, his teeth bared in
"What are they doing to him?" Nora growled, her voice like grinding stone. "Didn't I command them to leave Logan in peace? Why does this pack ignore my scent?"Evelyn immediately stepped in front of the Matriarch, blocking the view of the circled wolves."I’m sure they’re just testing each other’s strength, Mother. It’s how young males bond, isn’t it? Why don't we look at your tributes instead? Samson spent months tracking down a rare moon-lily tapestry for you. I know you’ve been wanting one for your private den."She shot a sharp, meaningful look at Ritchie, then gripped Nora’s wheelchair, steering the old woman toward the stone stairs before she could witness the blood in the water.Seeing Logan surrounded by those high-caste predators in their polished boots and tailored suits—seeing them snarl and snap at his dignity—sent a jolt of fire through my veins. I clenched my fists, ready to throw myself into the center of that circle to stand by his side. But as I took my first step, a
Logan’s heavy, dark-furred mantle seemed to swallow my entire frame, leaving only my eyes visible to the world. "It feels peculiar to wear your scent so boldly," I murmured, clutching the thick hide. "It masks the Master's silk completely."Logan guided me toward a low stone bench, his fingers gent
“Lord Grant, the formal pelt is prepared.”Madison’s eyes practically ignited. Even from a distance, the dark shimmer of the silk and the glint of the dragon-glass jewelry screamed of high-caste wealth.“My thanks.” She smoothed her gravy-stained furs, attempting to reclaim her hollow dignity as sh
“Madison!”The old wolf was visibly stunned when he recognized the female calling his name. His face, weathered like ancient bark, cracked into a hungry, wrinkled grin. “Did I not grant you my personal scent-code last time? Why did you not reach out to my den?”As he spoke, his eyes prowled over he
"Fine. What is it you desire?"Logan brushed his lips against the sensitive skin of my throat one last time before finally retreating. With a low, rolling chuckle, he gave me a playful wink. "Track the answer yourself. I can scent the exhaustion in your bones. Go to your furs."He turned on his hee







