ログインThree days later, Ekaterina arrives through another swirling water portal. She's perfected the werewolf silver shield spell.
Now we're about to test it.
"You can shift now," Ekaterina tells Anton.
All the silver is finally gone from his body. He's fully recovered—wounds healed, strength returned, the sickness that nearly killed him nothing but a memory. The humans didn't notice him getting better when they brought our food the last few days. They barely entered the cell at all, just throwing the food through the door like we were animals in a cage.
Which, to them, I suppose we were.
Anton shifts.
His bones crack and reshape, his body expanding as midnight-black fur erupts ac
EVELINEHalfway through dinner, I excuse myself and walk to the restroom.As I'm walking out, I bump into someone. I quickly bow my head in apology, ready to sidestep the human and return to my table—but I freeze when I see who it is.Kevin."Eveline," he says, shock written all over his face.I don't acknowledge him. I move to walk past, but his hand closes around my wrist."Eveline, please. Let me apologize for what happened that night."I yank my arm, but his grip tightens. I pull out my phone with my free hand and type quickly, shoving the screen in his face: I don't need your apology, Kevin.
Two weeks have passed since we escaped the human fight ring.We finally entered vampire territory a few days ago. We had to wait a week after we escaped because Ekaterina fell sick. The silver protection spell took an enormous toll on her body—she could barely stand for the first three days, and her magic flickered in and out like a dying flame. Luckily, she recovered well and was able to cast a strong glamour spell to help us enter vampire territory without raising suspicion.Things between Anton and me are the same. He treats me with respect, with care even—but other than that, nothing has changed. No declarations. No claiming. No talk of what we are to each other beyond the mate bond that pulses between us.I wish it would change.Because with him treating
Three days later, Ekaterina arrives through another swirling water portal. She's perfected the werewolf silver shield spell.Now we're about to test it."You can shift now," Ekaterina tells Anton.All the silver is finally gone from his body. He's fully recovered—wounds healed, strength returned, the sickness that nearly killed him nothing but a memory. The humans didn't notice him getting better when they brought our food the last few days. They barely entered the cell at all, just throwing the food through the door like we were animals in a cage.Which, to them, I suppose we were.Anton shifts.His bones crack and reshape, his body expanding as midnight-black fur erupts ac
When I wake up, I'm back in the cell.I quickly check my body to see if I'm clothed. I am. Relief loosens something tight in my chest."Eveline, are you awake?" Anton's voice reaches me from the back of the cell, rough and exhausted.'Yes, I am. Are you okay?' I push myself up and walk toward him, my legs unsteady beneath me.Then I see him.'Anton!' I drop to my knees beside him, my hands hovering over his body like I'm afraid to touch him and make it worse.He's in far worse shape than before.His shoulder has an open wound where a rogue t
"I already told you what you need to do," Gordon says, yanking my face toward the front of his pants.I look at Anton. His eyes burn with fury, but beneath that—I see it. The silent plea. Don't.But I can't watch him die. I can't sit here while electricity tears through his body until his heart gives out. That image will haunt me forever.'I have to,' I tell him through the mind link. 'I can't let them kill you.'I turn back to Gordon and nod frantically, my hands lifting in a gesture of surrender. Yes. Fine. I'll do it. Just stop hurting him.
'Anton, how do you know him?' I ask once Walden's footsteps fade down the corridor."This isn't my first time running into hunters."'Are you the one who gave him the scar on his face?' I need to confirm what I already suspect."Yes. I should've ripped his whole face off," Anton snarls, and I feel the anger radiating through our bond.'Do you know what he's talking about when he says "for what is about to come"?'"No. But knowing Walden, it isn't something good for werewolves."'I hope it's something we'll be able to face, even in your condition.'"Once the silver is out of my system, we'll have less to worry about. I'll be able to get us out of here, don't worry. Everything is going to be fine." His voice is steady, certain—and somehow it eases the knot of anxiety in my chest.'Okay, if you say so.' I shift my weight and lean my back against the cold stone wall beside him.Anton's arms wrap around my waist, and he tries to pull me close.I resist, pushing back gently. 'Anton, you're







