The Alpha's Curse.

e between them and the search party, but Alina knew it wouldn't be long before her father sent more

other handful of dry leaves into the weak flames. "If you're serious

d from his pack. "There are wolves still loyal to my mother's bl

skeptical glance

need co

his lips. "I assum

enough. She

west," she said. "Outcasts, rogues-wolves with nowher

ver his chest. "You think they'll

elcome me. They just

. The fire crackled, small spa

long moment, then exhal

ht them deeper into unfamiliar territory, where the dense forest began to thin, giving way

The wind howled through the cliffs, carrying distant

dscape below. "There." He pointed toward a c

hroat. If the outcast wolves saw them as a

his knife. "Let's hope they'

anger came in the f

They weren't like the structured packs of the Blackwood lands-these wo

crisscrossed his arms, a testament to countless battle

'm Alina Blackwood, dau

hrough the group.

owed. "You expect that nam

use the Alpha who exiled you

hanged glances, uncertainty

oser. "You want to ove

ustice. Not just for me, but f

ord like a curse. "There's no justice in this world, girl. There's

er, tension coiling in his mus

. But boldness doesn't win wars." He

blood

through the clearing, steady and unwavering. "If

interest sparking in his eyes. "Y

t whoever

irred, excitement flicker

idened. "Very wel

, wolves gathering around

, his grip firm on her

gaze. "It'

but he released he

th a predator's grace, completely at ease. "Name's Garrick,

t the fight began, she knew brute force wouldn't win t

the dirt where she had been standing. A second swing came, and this time she du

d, but he bar

t his face.

slamming her into the ground. The impact sent pain shooting thr

med over he

d onto the dirt

ch his strength, she had to end this another way. When he lunged again, she didn't dodge... Instead, she feinted le

ate. She swept his legs out from under

bbing his neck. "Well, shit." He pushed himself up, s

rom her lip. "So, do

e mine." His gaze swept over the others. "A

Alina felt her pulse steady. The first step h