BETWEEN PACKS AND PROMISE

d together by our Alphas' treaty. A peaceful time. That's what I told myself, anyhow, as I stood close to the altar and stared at Demon, who wa

e of my own role bearing down on me, and the stakes were tremendous. I was expected to be the submissive partner, keeping the peace, smiling when it was appropriate, and avoiding conflict at all costs. How

o celebrate dangling in the air like a thin thread, I stood there, compelled to grin. Everything seemed

e, coming toward me. I could sense the tension between us even though we had never talked much. His name was Alari

with a thin, courteous grin, but there was s

to seem informal despite my raci

ered, "Peace." "Isn't it a delicate thing? Sometimes

I could get the words out. A deep growl that was so raw and primordial

avage brightness, sprang from the tree line before anybody could react. It

te. The closest Silvermoon fighter was str

led by anger and bloodlust, it was more than simply an attack-it was a full-scale assault. Warrior

d me along with him, his fingers surprisingly

or flee. I was no weakling damsel. My body was responding befor

oss my body. For the first time since I had been to Blackfang, I felt my own strength completely awaken

er nearby with its enormous paw, knocking him to the ground. With a power that even startled me, I struck the rogue and knocked it to t

from my face. My wolf was there, pulling me onward and strengthening me even as my heart

y echoed with the painful shatter of its skull. It fought under me, but it was exhausti

his voice bellowed over the battlefield. With his black fur rippling with strength, he rushed forward

nd of the rogue's demise served as a soberi

sive quiet. The wounded and injured group turned to

out of breath. But a sudden feeling of pride awoke inside me.

marked, "You handled yourself well," in a quiet, almost approving tone. "But avoid being too cozy. Not eve

t I had to take his words serio

ined us, his eyes still caut

been following them for weeks, we never anticipated their daring attack. This is no

bout. There had been no accident with the renegade. The assault was pre

round the clearing, and it made my blood run cold.

but I could definitely s

he followed my gaze. "A risky

step closer. "We must move quickly

ed for him in a menacingly low voice.

him, to rip his pack apart from the inside out. Now, though? I had to contend with a new foe, but I had no i

tever came next would make me reevaluate al

ow Demon. This time, however, it wasn't only a passing shad

stinct sound of a c

s just gett