Bound By Bloodlines

happening or am

hem, howling through the barren trees. She stood still, her heart po

keeper, and he has been waiting for Irwin. His lips curled in something between a

But the chill she felt around her, came from the inside. " But Why me? Why does

open the gate. The sound echoed in the stillness. "It's not in my place to know why the Alph

was half-human, half-wolf, belonging to neither worlds. And now, here she wa

gate. "Is this really just about the marri

rvival. The pack needs to secure its future, and you're nothing but the key. Nothing

't it bother you? Like Marrying someone off l

would it? That's the way of the world, Lady Irwin. Po

ssive stone walls of the Shadowclaw fortress seemed to press in on her, suffocating

much?" Irwin asked, her v

hesitation. "Yes and what

more than she expected. "

said, his eyes scanning the path ahead. "You do

. "And you? Do you t

uch question..... Just know that You're here, and that's all there is to it, lady. But if you think you're going

he response Cain gav

ere the pack's most powerful wolves waited inside patiently. I

en, the heavy wood groa

res sat in a semi-circle a

sessing and calculating. The council, T

"You're the said one who's going to marry into our pack?" He

lf to meet Gwen's

y. "And why do you think you

se quickened, with her heart racing, but she refused to let her fe

ppose that's a start." She glanced at the others seated arou

that matters to you?" Irwin

Yes." Gwen cursed under her breath " A hybr

a scar that ran down his face, leaned forward

se," Irwin replied

you think you can handle the pack's politics? You'

ow what it felt like to be rejected so many times, to fight for

eel their scrutiny, their skepticism. But th

hest, watching the exchange Irwin was having with the council. Irwin c

understand what loyalty means, hybrid? Or do you

. "I understand loyalty. I don't

What about the human side of you?

win answered quietly bu

he was being tested. Every word, every movement was bein

nged between the council members and the unspoken words that passed between t

e asked, her voice low but firm. "Why does it feel like

her, but the counc

ile. "You're perceptive. And That's good. You'

ed. "Survive what

ng with something that looked almost like amusement. "You r

ll run down her

rt of it. The real question is... what else a

ent dry. "What

learn soon enough. But let's just say... loya

ut she couldn't let that out. Cain remained stone faced, givin

to talk about" Cain mut

ests?" Irwin asked finally, he

you'll die, hybrid. And I can't

pine. She glanced again at Cain, who s

eyes fixed on him. "Why are you h

ickered there, something she couldn't place. But then it wa

ive long enough to fulfill y

ned. "And what exact

lked toward the door, leaving Irwin standing

ppening?" She thoug