Twelve.

Irina’s POV

The guy startled me as he stepped out of the forest. His short blonde hair catches the light and his eyes are a strange grey colour. I automatically jump to my feet and sink into a crouching position, remembering everything my mother had taught me.

He holds his hands up surrendering “Calm down. My name is Shaun. I’m the Beta of Black Crescent. I am here to participate in Alpha Damien’s ceremony tomorrow. Are you okay?”

I don’t care if he is a Beta and warn him that he was on Lonecrown’s territory, he laughs and tells me that it is actually neutral ground and he points out the boundary lines which circle the hot spring.

Shaun moves around the hot spring and wipes my tears from my