GAVINI led Mara through the gates of the Alpha den, the heavy oak swinging on iron hinges with a groan that made her start.She froze mid-step, her hand brushing the carved stones at the entry, eyes wide as if she’d expected a small hunting cabin instead of the towering walls and archways that stre
MGAVINThe gates swung wide as I rode into the courtyard, my cloak heavy with the smell of forest mulch.Dust clung to my boots, bark scratched along the hem, and my horse’s flanks gleamed with sweat. The men waiting near the stables shouted my name, their hands slapping against my shoulders as I s
“You’re going to get me back for that,” I warned, wiping water from my forehead.“Maybe,” she said, eyes glinting with mischief. “Maybe not.” Her lips curved in that grin again, and I felt a rush of something I couldn’t name, something I wanted to explore.We spent the morning hiking up a narrow rid
GAVINThe sun was dipping low when we broke camp, the fire reduced to smoldering coals that hissed as the cool air crept over them. Mara and I had spent the afternoon exploring a narrow canyon that split the forest floor, scrambling over rocks and ducking under low-hanging branches. Her laughter ech
GAVINI shoved the last of my gear into the skin duffel and zipped it up, dragging the heavy bag over to the bed. The tent, sleeping bag, and fishing rod were stacked neatly, and I double-checked the food packs—jerky, dried fruit, hard bread. “You’re taking enough for a small army,” Mum said from th
I told her about the nausea, the lightheadedness, the ache in my lower back. She listened with her head tilted, fingers cupped around her mug, steam curling past her face. “Let me see your hands,” she said.Her touch was warm and dry. She pressed her thumbs into my palms, then up along the insides o