The Wolf's Betrayal

RA

n's words replayed in my mind-"People have a way of leaving when you need them most." Even beginning to admit a bitterness sometim

e far ahead, never slowing down,

er turned around or acknowledged me but I closed

then he faced me with icy and defensive eyes. It was as if he

insistently cold, almost dismissive, yet in thos

ut to let him squirm into silence. "

ore than a reminder of everything I lost. He's the one who--" He halted, the Allrel on his fa

anger. "You can't keep shutting everyone out. If I want to b

You are a part of this pack? You have just set foot

el; surely I deserve a

st. For one instant, I thought he was about to warm towards me and le

oice freezing. "I learned the hard way that it i

ou'd rather just push everyone away? Keep them at

, his eyes aflame. "You do

s. I did not know why I said it or what I expected him to do, but I couldn't call it back.

r once, he would speak, that this wall of his would finally c

he said, barrels of ice that h

r and with something else, something much deeper. I watched him go with an unreadable ache in m

-

wearing a look of intensity. "I saw Loren leaving,

eamed. "No. But that doesn

gaze. "Good. You're braver than most. Loren...He's dangerous, Willow. Kael doe

ing onto every wor

d hear. "Loren was Kael's second-in-command, back when they were still pa

hrough my spine. "

"Made it look like Kael was leaning with rogues. The council balanced Kael

wisted. No wonder Kael was so tight-lipped, and untrusting. L

n waiting for a way to make things right. And he can't do i

sen within me. "Then I will help him. I will

d not argue. Instead, he nodded, smiling fai

that were swirling in my mind. Loren's visit, Loren's tattoo, our connection, Kael's past, the quiet des

urned; my senses were on high alert. A figure emerged

" I brea

d worn before. "So, out here all alone?

run. But I stood my ground, trying to sho

green eyes. "You have gotten close to Kael, haven't y

" I shot back, squeezing my voi

u see, Kael and I... we have unfinished business. And you,

nd, I inquired "That tat

will, I forced myself not to flinch. "

iar; my mother h

off, taking a step closer. "If you care about Kael, you will do as I

alls, refusing to back dow

danger roiling within his voice. "For, if you don't step aside, you

uld tell me about your mother's tattoo." he disappeared into

ad requiem. I knew that it was dangerous, the game he was playing was one I barely un

rest of the camp was still shrouded in the early morning's enigmatic hush. I had t

e. My heart skipped a beat when I realized that it was Kael, sitting

ed softly as I

ustion in his gaze. "Willow," he

ou," I said, sitting be

termined not to back down. "He was here again. Last ni

firing up with rage. "That bastard do

mently, meeting his eyes. "I don't car

houghts flickering in his eyes. Then, slowly, his face soften

lings of fresh delight, all

through the trees, Kael stood to

and I felt the icy grip of fear insinuate itse

with a snarl, his voice dee

urmured, his voice

ou see, Kael," he says, his voice dripping with malice, "I've been waiting for the perf

d in anger. "You'll never take anyth

y have," he says, his eyes glinting with triumph. "You see, Zara here... she's

onfused glance with Kael. What does Lore

he know mu