C3

"Look at the new male wolves coming into our pack territory," Malakai Thornwolf muttered, shifting his massive weight as we stood by the great oak trees near the ancient hall. "Most of them will try to join your Alpha circle, Kade, but we only need to look for loyal fighters."

"I am not looking for fighters today," I said, my chest expanding as I caught a strange scent on the wind.

Talia Ravenscar was talking to us, her long dark nails brushing her fur cloak. As a member of the Pack Truth Quest circle, she knew everyone crossing the Moonreach Territory borders.

"Sure, Dad. I'll see you after class. Love you," a deep, smooth male voice sounded from the edge of the clearing.

My heart went fast against my ribs. The sound was so pure, like a clear howl under a full moon. I spun around, my blue eyes scanning the Midnight Fang Rovers in the parking area, and that was when I spotted him. He was a slender male wolf, limping hard as his heavy boots scraped the dirt sidewalk.

"Look at that broken freak," Imani Frostfang sneered, pointing her claw at the male pup who was trying to hide under a dark gray hoodie.

As the scarred boy limped past our circle, his aquamarine eyes lifted. Most omega males would look down and blush when an Alpha stared, but he kept his eyes locked on mine. For the first time in my life, my inner wolf bowed. I felt small under his gaze.

"Imani, you shut your mouth before I tear your tongue out," Malakai growled, his face turning dark with Alpha rage. "That male wolf has survived a rogue pack attack."

"What do you mean?" Imani squeaked, her face turning pale as she backed away from my sharp teeth. "Did he get caught in a silver trap or something? He looks totally ruined."

"Get out of my sight," I snapped, pushing her aside with enough force to make her stumble. "Malakai, who is he? Tell me what happened to his spirit-wolf."

"The elders gave him a full sanctuary pass because of his trauma," Talia whispered, looking sad as she watched the boy disappear into the stone building. "When he arrived at the Silvermoon Healing Lodge, his face was completely shredded by silver knives and he couldn't even shift. He is still healing."

"A rogue hunt," Zuberi Darkclaw growled, his honey-colored eyes flashing with sudden violence. "Someone used silver on a young male wolf. That is against the law of the Western Alpha Syndicate."

"Who did this to him, Talia?" I demanded, my hands clenching into fists until my knuckles turned white.

"I cannot tell you," Talia sighed. "His family is in deep hiding from the Midrealm Territories. Just leave him alone, Kade. Don't do anything stupid."

"Hey, do any of you know that scarred boy's name?" Zuberi asked a group of young omegas standing by the classroom door a few minutes later.

"That's Johnson Whitmoor," one of the male pups whispered back.

"Do you know who attacked him?" Malakai asked, leaning over the smaller boy until the pup trembled.

"The Mooncode Seers said it happened during a Moonrise Gathering at the ancient pack settlement of Wolfspring Hollow," the boy whispered. "The Crimson Fang Pack left him for dead at Bloodmoon Lake. That's all we know."

"Thanks," I muttered, pulling Malakai and Zuberi into a dark corner of the stone hallway. "Malakai, use the Spirit Web Network. Find out every single male wolf who was at Bloodmoon Lake that night. If you find the bastards, they belong to me."

"Consider it done," Malakai answered, his jaw tight. "What are you going to do to them, Kade?"

"I will break every bone in their bodies before I rip their throats out with my bare teeth," I said, my voice dropping into a lethal Alpha rumble. "Look at him through the window. How could anyone mutilate a beautiful male wolf like that?"

"It was pure hatred," Zuberi said, watching Johnson sit quietly in the far corner of the classroom, his head low. "The silver scars on his neck show total rage. But his eyes are so sad, Kade. He did not deserve this."

"Our professor is here," Malakai muttered, pointing to the tall elder with white hair and glasses who was carrying a heavy leather briefcase.

We followed the elder inside, our heavy boots thudding against the floor. As we walked past Johnson's desk, I caught him staring up at us. I let my lips pull back into a small, warm smile to show him he was safe with me. Instead of smiling back, he quickly pulled his hood down, his cheeks turning a bright, dark red.

"There are empty seats right behind him," Zuberi whispered, nudging my shoulder.

We quickly moved into the row directly behind his small frame. I wanted to lean forward and scent his neck, but he looked so skittish, like a wild animal waiting for a blow.

Malakai spread his long legs out, his heavy knee knocking against mine as he sat back.

"Malakai, will you please stop crowding me!" I growled right behind Johnson's neck, pushing Malakai's leg away.

Johnson suddenly spun around, his aquamarine eyes wide with shock as he realized we were right there. I opened my mouth to say something, but he snapped his head back toward the front, his shoulders completely stiff. He ignored us for the rest of the hour.

I had never felt invisible before, and it hurt like a silver blade to my chest.

"Give him some room, Kade," Zuberi said as we watched Johnson limp out of the door the second the lecture ended. "He needs time to see we are not going to hurt him."

"I agree," Malakai said, pulling out his communication device and pressing a speed dial. "Beta Commander Tavon, I need the Shadow Howlers to do some tracking for me right now."

"No, Tavon, it is not pack business," Malakai barked into the device. "I want to know about a rogue attack on a young male wolf from Wolfspring Hollow. Tall, slender, chestnut hair, aquamarine eyes. Find the names of the males who used silver on him."

"If you find them, do not touch them," Malakai added, his eyes meeting mine. "Kade Fenrir is going to hunt them himself."

I smiled a dark, terrible smile as my wolf clawed at my insides, wanting blood. I did not know what to do next.