Claiming the Alpha's Heart

ights in Crescent Valley

time. Life went on in careful, controlled motions. But at night, the pretending stopped. The

t moved slowly, like something searching. The moon hung above the trees, not full,

planned t

een doing since I arrived. Every time I closed my eyes,

around myself an

fe, I tol

formed, I knew it wasn

. I didn't turn right away.

be resting

ut there was something else bene

replied. "D

eel the warmth of him without touching. He smelled like

ce anymore," he said. "Your

lling me something's

dn't

ne unset

where in the distance, a howl rose and fell. It wasn't thre

ack looks like it's prep

d on the trees. "We're

nst w

w tigh

face him f

e. His eyes were darker tonight, the gray edged

aid. "You don't know wha

ending I don't

I could feel him weighing somethin

he said at last. "Lines

here those lines a

es

the answer made

ey. I didn't choose the forest. And I didn't choose whatever s

ed just slightly but

e back,"

her," I snapped.

d at the edge

le locking into place. He stepped in front of me withou

when I

arly. N

l animal, too fast to track properly. The air changed, th

that?" I

idn't

ly and grabbed my wrist.

o go inside

ulling back. "I

sn't a

me what I

slightly. "You di

sound was shaky. "Yo

angerous flickered across

Whatever is moving out there... It's testing

te, I

as he spoke

The unmistakable awa

he forest, something answered the howl with a sound th

e under h

mmanding sound that echoed across the trees. It wasn

exploded

ssions were grim, focused. Some of them weren't entirely... human anymore. T

eath

as the

where prete

nd me," Ka

appening?"

at my other side. Her usual playful to

n wh

ng us," she sai

zation hi

just co

rt of th

e sol

rolled outward, layered and deep, vibra

nswered fro

shi

ere, solid and human, and the next there was something more beneath

back ins

not

more than

e rougher now. "Lock the door. Do no

don't come b

e, sharp and unr

sn't a

as a

instinct screaming at me to run and stay at t

," I

tur

protection b

d like he might say so

said, "Survi

ehind me with a f

there in the dark, listeni

The sound of bodi

all, that same

here now knew exac

knew the truth

crossing back

y on the wro