LOGINThe portal burst open in a swirl of silver and gold, light scattering across the snow in shimmering waves. Wolves skidded to a halt mid snowball war. Pups froze with handfuls of snow. Even Marek paused with a snowball raised above his head.The king stepped through.And immediately tripped over a sl
I strung lights across the top of the house, weaving them around the chimney and down the far side. Magic flickered from my fingertips, helping the strands cling perfectly in place. Every spark of golden light that escaped curled like a lazy ribbon in the air.Someone below cleared their throat loud
Snow blanketed the entire pack territory in soft, perfect drifts. It made everything look gentle, like the world had been iced with sugar. The trees bowed under the weight of white powder, branches sparkling in the afternoon light. Smoke curled from chimneys. Laughter drifted through the cold air. M
The king watched silently. Marek nodded slowly beside me, jaw tight with agreement.Kaelan looked between us, breath shaking. His voice dropped to a whisper. “You do not understand. I… I spent so long believing I would never amount to anything. I believed I was only useful as your protector. Your sh
The snow had nearly stopped falling by the time the king summoned us. Only a few flakes drifted lazily through the gray morning sky. Wolves formed a loose circle around the clearing, whispering quietly among themselves, tension flowing through them like an undercurrent.The portal behind the king cr
His breath shuddered.I leaned closer, forehead resting against his.“I could not do it.”Marek closed his eyes, attempting to hold himself together, but his hands trembled at his sides.“I love you,” I whispered. “I love this pack. I love this world. I love who I am here.”He opened his eyes, and e
“Demands nothing,” Marek muttered.“It demands kissing,” I corrected. “Which is even worse.”I tilted my head up to look at the leaves. The berries glowed slightly in the hallway light. I reached out, poking it cautiously.“It does not appear alive,” I said. “But I still distrust it.”Marek stepped
“Yes.”His eyes narrowed just slightly. “Aveline. Were you…”“A princess,” I said simply.His breath caught.Just a little.Almost invisible.But I saw it.He stared at me for a long moment. Longer than any normal person should stare. His emotions churned behind his eyes, shifting like storm clouds.
Earth winter was evil.Not dramatic, majestic, High Realm winter with glittering frost and dignified storms. No. Earth winter attacked the bones. It crawled into the joints. It seeped into the spine. It gnawed at the edges of the soul like a cold, petty gremlin.I marched into the pack kitchen shive
“I believe that is a point for me,” I said.He growled.The wolves watching murmured with interest. A few snickered. A few whispered bets.Marek attacked again.This time he was quicker. Stronger. His footwork was smooth, precise, controlled. I blocked a strike with my forearm, spun out of the way,







