Trying to hide her fear, she said, “I don’t need any medical attention. I’m fine. And you’ve already done enough to help me, Razl. More than any other man would have, that’s for sure, and I truly appreciate it. But this isn’t your problem.”The brackets around his mouth deepened, his gray eyes glittering with streaks of silver that must have been a play of the light. “Those men from the club last night—they’re not going to let you just walk away from this. They more than likely searched your wallet, which

 Climbing out of the truck, Tourmaline took a deep breath of the crisp, fresh mountain air, her eyes a little wide as she took in the surreal setting. Sunlight filtered into the clearing through the leafy trees, casting dazzling splotches of gold across the grassy carpet. It was like something out of a fairy tale, which sent a shiver of unease down her spine. Fairy tales always came with monsters, and she couldn’t help but feel that there was something unnatural about this strange, primordial place.“What’s wrong?” he asked, obviousl

 “It’s at times like this that I wonder why I put up with you,” Razl muttered, following the others inside as they all made their way to the kitchen.“You talking about me?” Brody asked with an expression of mock devastation as he leaned back against one of the counters, a grinning Michaela at his side. “I’m crushed, man. Crushed.”

 After a long, scalding shower to soothe her sore muscles, Tourmaline had snuggled up on the queen-size bed in the guestroom and crashed. She didn’t know how long she’d slept, but it was dark outside when she finally pulled herself out of bed.As she made her way back to the bathroom to brush her teeth, she was still a little stunned by how beautiful Razl’s home was. When he’d told her about the Alley, she’d imagined wilderness living, but the cabin was fully modernized, with gleaming hardwood floors and a rugged décor that looke

 Realization slammed her between the eyes like a two-by- four. “You’re…one of them?” she wheezed, coughing, thankful she hadn’t just taken another sip of water, since she’d have spewed it all over the table.“My parents are both Lycan, so yes, I’m one of them,” Jillian said in a friendly, but matter-of-fact tone, as if she’d just admitted that her parents were members of Costco, instead of a shape-shifting wolf pack. “But as a Spirit Walker, I can’t take the shape of a wolf.”