Moonlit Redemption: Chasing the Alpha's Heart

hrough t

and sending the wolves fr

hypnotic, as it reverbera

e. The loud beating of h

h the frantic beat of the

ted for what w

nt the b

atory eyes wide with fear

ng, trying to locate th

r heart racing as she watc

ce to get away from th

rue thought proces

Kiera h

the pounding of her own

didn't

ixed on the wolves, his e

ance remained defensive, k

ent in his gaze, a recogni

h

iera cou

let out a low, nervous w

sitant, movements. The o

n dissolved to wariness

r in her

ought that this was a rep

shattered by th

d to g

ent voice. With no waitin

ng her along. "Stick close

ve

llowed h

ct as her mind whirled wi

y, their eyes narrowed, bu

something-or someone-an

ns

er into

clearer the river came in

und of Kiera's pulse. The

follow each movement Kie

to stan

wled ted

and flowed away into the

r been. Kiera exhaled a br

from relief and wearines

kept one guard

ey gone

n failure t

" Adrian

His gaze sliced through th

ut of this just yet. Whoev

tn't be

allowed

The shadows in the fores

stopped, but it hung in

did not

oing,"

the river, urging. "We

where def

llowed,

ery rustle of a leaf, eve

mind to stay focused. The

to dro

s thinne

er; the undergrowth was no

opy. The sound of rushin

lly they were standi

eam ran

g with foamy flecks that

elief, brought to Kiera at

his whole barrier she was

at forest might hav

led t

from which they could g

as his eyebrows furrowed

inally, relaxing just a bi

too ex

dded and

r legs started shaking, f

e residual adrenaline. Sh

de of

squatte

ve. "That howl.it wasn't

ction over in his mind. "

war

think

. The thought of someon

ching them, m

ossible

nd that convinced. "But Ro

e that. He's

o might

st us?" She felt he

hook his

But whoever this is, the

m either an ally or a

roundin

wn, the shadows growing de

iting for some

think

attempting not to have her

ing at he

t," Adr

s. "We need rest, but we n

out our wits will get u

dded and

tle while from being in

ed; it tugged at her gut

urned to

yes. "I won't let anything

firmly. "

hroat con

s tone of voice, somethin

uncertainty. She felt s

't kno

re no so

ng river and, somewhere i

ts. Kiera tried to quiet

emory of the wolves and th

upo

Adrian

have to move," he said,

here. I used to hole up

the way, and we can s

truggle

king. "Are you

e as an

of his voice foreclosed d

e we

odded,

l herself for what was t

h to run for cover from th

udge-it clung to her like a

ved qui

led in the soft dirt. Ad

ke some predator on highe

art pounding, sen

ally wal

woods. In the center of t

s nearly hidden beneath th

t untold ages. It seemed p

, than one room, but it

and pryi

is, Ad

s he led Kiera to it. We'l

ni

neared t

but the unease still gna

lves or whoever controlled

it

gave th

open, showing a dark inte

doorway while her eyes g

except for a small table,

med into one corner. But

fort

was the

anning every nook. Kiera

n though there was danger

, every shadow, and

ars safe

motioned for Kiera to join

e enough here

pped in

step she took on the woo

trying to shake the fear t

elter-a barrier between th

ts

shut

ick wooden bar across it f

ders dropped a little mo

more relief as the last

uld try

ce, moving to one of the w

ni

rly dawn

d we must be ready to

dded, th

exposed didn't sit right

n its edge, the old mattr

s exhausted, her body scre

e events of the n

staye

ark silhouette against dim

the grime on the transpar

rest more than a few seco

ng something-or somebody-a

he black

" Kiera

hisper, not to startle hi

ying to help me? Why g

ned hi

ng when it found hers. Fo

in his throat. Then in a

ser

Kiera, I

won't let anythi

s seemed

and Kiera felt a warmth

ld fear that had held her

s more to Adrian than the

him admit it out loud made

parts thrille

" she wh

otion. "I-I wouldn't hav

o

ave her

-one that spoke volumes de

you are, Kiera. But y

eyes h

'd turned away quickly, n

ession. Lying down on the

rself, she tried forc

lingere

btrusive that it was a wo

the river flowed along s

night's darkness over her int

ne thought rent its way t

the sudden sharpn

. What i

s for us?" she whispered,

too frighte

id not t

firmed on the hilt of his

said unshakeab

allowed

chest. She wasn't sure w

but lying there, listeni

oice, she did know the

't know

quite care. Just not being

eno

Kiera's

athing evened out as slee

ning over every eventuali

led into his heart: he wo

ight b

night s

st hints of the morning l

or sure: their journey w

tle was ye