Stolen Mate

ylan stood beside me, his blood already sealed in a vial that glinted like a ruby in the witch's clawed hand. She h

nd book from the mess. Dust cascaded as she tossed it onto

, but I stepped forw

lky gaze piercing. "Of wolves wh

es of wolves mid-transformation, herbs I didn't recognize, symbols that m

e titled *Scent Thievery and It

essence, three th

lood of t

lunar flower, bat

r-scent of the true

ylan muttered. "N

s in Nightshade's hear

hade territory. Where Rylan's

nd's anchor

as stolen from you, girl. Lavende

e reversed the theft, he'd have to *cho

e book shut. "Wh

like a child. "You've had your tast

u blood," I

into the shadows. "Return with the

*

d the copied notes-Rylan's hasty scrawl detailing t

," he said, ducking under a

st march into Nightsha

ner." He glanced at me,

stung. "Then

tay? Play serva

r not die

s isn't just about her. It's

artled me. My wolf stirred, a

u care?" I

seen what happens when wolves liv

rees-distant, but closin

the brush, hearts pounding in sync, as three wolves blurred pas

s ne

p tightened

ealized I'

*

stars pierced the sky. Rylan lit a stol

l moon," I read, tracing his writing.

ed. "Con

our true mat

was a snarl. "T

flower

a's voice slithere

draped like a second skin, my stolen lavender scent clo

t of me, dagger drawn

acks scents." Her gaze slid to

you want?

"Nightshade knows you're coming. They've laid

She danced b

, Rylan? Some thi

us out," h

ld and final. "Stay in your shadows

night, her threat

dagger into the wa

lert the

e run f

lower's sketch blurring. *Blood of

nd-storm-gray eyes, scarred br

n," I

n me was re

rom the eaves clattered in the wind, a hollow song. Rylan strode ahead, his jaw set, the stolen via

e than blood thi

eyes narrowed. "We've g

eeks of stealing through forests and s

ch was

ained rug, her rune-carved hands

onto the table. "We nee

to me. "You brought the t

id, forcing steel into my vo

er is but a key. The lock... is *here*." Her clawed finger

dropped.

ed. "Freely given,

orward. "We're

ting. "The Alpha's blood holds the bond's tr

e of the table. "

n, her breath sour. "But hurry, litt

*

nd pressing like stones. The path back to

scrubbing Lila's blood from

night," I said. "Lil

ke her *u

at him.

first dragged from the dirt. "You'r

rel

mary. The night patrols

reference for chamomile tea, the way he lingered by the training

mell you

his belt-crushed juniper and pine resin. "

me to get

ou're

pouch. "And

d. "Then w

*

e evening howl. I smeared the juniper paste on Ryla

e a pine tree

smelling li

mask his presence-the tension in his shoulders, the way h

ipped inside, the shelves of herbs and tinctures ghostly

erthorn extract. A drop will knock

. "You're

recogni

wo

h knew it

*

la's laughter spilled out, sharp and bright. Rylan melted into the shad

a crash inside-a over

stormed out, Garrick at his

the dark, leaving t

s distr

me. Kieran's bedroom was sparse-a fur-draped bed, a weapons rack, a d

tep beh

lverthorn

ay, her smile venomous.

fr

s glinting. "You think I didn't no

e's R

Her gaze dropped to the vi

g me into the wall. The vial shatt

hissed. "You

." I drove my kne

from the weapons rack, pressing it to he

. "You think he's fo

or bur

est heaving, storm-gra

h, familiar-sl

d. "She tried

, a growl building

an, l

ow

he dagger clatte

ars gleaming. "She's go

torn between fury and som

ra

*

his lip split, tunic torn. "Got it

h caught

k a page from Li

palm-Kieran's blood, s

choed. *The moon

ere all