The Alpha's Curse.

g shadows as Alina moved through the thick underbrush. The air smelled of d

ind her. She spun around, her

ed over his chest. "You're terrible at sneaking

on hers. "I w

the distance between them in slow, deliberate strides. "T

t, but another part-one she wasn't ready to confront-lik

plies, no plan, and a pack of wolves that would hunt you down before sunrise." His ex

. "I can't just stand there and let him decide my fate

aid, his voice softer now. "That's w

fists. "That doesn't m

etween them before Cole sigh

owed. "What k

r father's control. I n

led at her. "Wh

the Blackwood Pack, but from the bounty your father has on my head. If I

ady an act of defiance, but negotiating for his protection? I

d by anyone's rules. And for the first time in her life, she saw a

said, extend

looking for hesitation. Finding none, he grasped her

Every crunch of leaves beneath their boots sent Alina's pulse racing, but Cole moved

g over his shoulder at her. "Stay light on yo

ession. "Excuse me for not

ked. "You

hey edged closer to the outer borders of Blackwood territory.

nd. Alina skidded to a halt beside him

he muttered. "Two,

mered. "We ca

scanning the terrain. "There's a creek about f

oaching footsteps grew louder. If they were caught now, she would hav

e waded in first, motioning for her to follow. The icy water so

s voices gr

border closely. No one gets

ng past tonight." A chuckle followed. "You real

aw cl

No way out of it unless she

patrol moved away. Onl

look. "Still think you c

. "Don't g

ome on, Princess. W

ina's limbs. Cole pushed the door open, the hinges creaking in protest. The inside was small

," he said, shrugg

ch, her body aching. "H

ugh to ma

through her

d. "Then we decide how far you're willing

s about fighting for something she ha