LOGINCazRedwood changes around us slowly.Real change rarely announces itself. It happens in kitchens and training circles. It slips into council meetings, arguments, and into ordinary conversations that would have been impossible only months ago.Witches have started attending nearly every open pack gathering. Nobody comments on it anymore. Another week passes before I notice two young wolves sitting beneath a tree with one of the witches, asking her to teach them about protective symbols.No one stares. No one whispers. They simply learn. Kyra becomes part of that change without ever really trying to.Wolves don't need help healing. Our bodies were made to recover from injuries that would leave a human bedridden for months, and that ability doesn't disappear simply because we're walking around on two legs instead of four. Broken bones mend. Wounds close. Bruises disappear. Given enough time, our bodies handle most things on their own.But there is a difference between healing and healin
Kyra Redwood looks different when you return, knowing it's permanent. The first time I came here, I watched everything. Every face. Every doorway. Every shift in tone. I measured suspicion before anyone spoke it. I memorized who looked at me too long. Who looked away too quickly. Who whispered when they thought I couldn't hear. I entered Redwood as Seraphine's former weapon. As the witch who nobody quite knew what to do with. As Cassius's mate. Now... I'm still a witch. I am Cassius's mate until the day I die. But I am also just myself... Kyra. I get to discover who I am without the lingering grief of my sister's death and Seraphine's manipulation. The SUV turns onto Redwood's main road, and Cassius sits beside me with one hand resting on the wheel and the other threaded through mine. Sinister has been restless for the last twenty minutes. He is surprisingly very excited. "We're home." I glance toward Cassius. His mouth twitches. "We are HOME!" He says again, but wit
Kyra The meadow is packed. The coven forms a wide circle around Cassius and me. I stand beside him wearing white. He is also wearing white. He hates it. I know because he has complained about it at least seven times. Probably more. Sinister has been considerably more enthusiastic. "You look elegant." I smile. "You do look very handsome." He narrows his eyes. "It's nice seeing you in a color other than black." "I knew she had good taste." Cassius sighs. The elder steps forward. The entire meadow quiets. "Once we begin, do not break the circle." Cassius looks around at the symbols surrounding our feet. "That's not ominous." I squeeze his fingers harder. "Behave." "I am behaving." The elder's mouth twitches, but she ignores him. Her attention settles on both of us. "Do you enter freely?" Cassius answers first. "Yes." I don't hesitate. "Yes." "Do you stand here because another has commanded you?" "No." Cassius's answer is immediate. Mine follows. "No.
Caz Nobody moves. Not even Emily, which is probably the most impressive part. The elder witch stands in the doorway with two others behind her, all three dressed in dark traveling cloaks that look entirely too dramatic for people who just knocked on the front door like normal visitors. "About what Seraphine left behind," I repeat. The elder inclines her head. "Yes." "If this is another curse, I'm going to be incredibly irritated." Tristan snorts behind me. The elder's mouth twitches. "It is not another curse." "Good." "At least, not in the way you mean." I close my eyes. "Of course." Kyra nudges me. "Cassius." "You say my name like I'm misbehaving." "You usually are." Sinister finally speaks. "She has a point." Kyra smiles. "Now you decide to participate?" I huff. "I was observing... taking notes." "You were hiding." "I do not hide." Kyra laughs softly. The elder's eyes sharpen. She looks between us. Interested. "You heard him? Can speak t
Caz Three months sounds like a long time. It isn't. Not when you're trying to spend enough time with everyone you love to make leaving them again feel less like leaving. Not when half of Wolvesbane seems determined to remind you exactly why this place became home in the first place. And definitely not when your mother decides that three months means she has three months to feed you every meal you've ever liked before you disappear to another pack. "Cassius." I stop in the kitchen doorway. Momma T is standing at the stove. Momma C is sitting at the table with a cup of coffee between her hands. "You know I hate it when you call me that." Momma T turns. "It's the name you were given. Sit." I look at Momma C. She smiles innocently. Sinister sighs. "Run." Kyra is standing behind me. She let's out a nervous giggle. Momma C looks at her. "What?" "Sinister told him to run." Momma T points the wooden spoon she was just using to stir with at me. "Don't you dare." "I wasn't going
EliasTonight, Redwood gathers.Everyone. Not just the council. Families line the edge of the clearing. Younger wolves sit together near the back. Our witches stand among them. I stand at Spencer's right. Caz stands several yards away beside Kyra. He appears relaxed. He isn't.I've spent enough time around him now to recognize the difference. His hands are shoved into his pockets. His shoulders look loose, but there is too much stillness in him. Too much control. He looks like a man trying very hard not to look like he'd rather fight Seraphine again than stand in front of an entire pack waiting to hear whether they agree he's worthy of leading them someday. I understand why he's nervous. Authority should make a man think twice. The ones who want it too easily are usually the ones who shouldn't have it.Spencer steps forward. "Most of you know I've been thinking about Redwood's future."A few people nod."I've been Alpha for a long time.""Too long!" Brian shouts.Laughter breaks acr







