ECHOES OF A BROKEN BOND

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I stood at the edge of the clearing. My former pack territory were in fro

new body. But recollections hurt my chest. I had once

ke cooked meat and wood smoke. The dried leaves we

e ahead. They squinted. One of the wolv

ou?" she s

introduced myself as Serin. "I'm loo

a stranger. She said, "New face." "We now re

nod. "I'l

ckling cooking fires. Under the moon, wolves chuckled softly

th a bow. He looked up with surprise. I looked into his light green ey

d. "This is Serin. She is g

ted. Rowan's apprentice was that person. I had already train

head. "I fe

f hot tea. I drank, feeling my stomach warm f

t you here?" he

needed help." "I am skill

"You move like a wolf born to these

. My heart pounded. I was alive when I crossed the bor

strode by. They made their way to the elder rings

Seraphine knelt beside him. He wore a rich, dark cloak. He

ders of the council gave a solemn nod. Rowan was one among them, I noticed. T

had hoped to notice changes in their faces. However, it app

e gave her fingers a squeeze. It hurt my

a painted map's borders. "The south poses a thr

"At dawn, I will

art stopped. I remained motionless. He scowl

s. The guards moved out in a line. I walked between them, bein

I stood at the edge of the camp. Pink light glowed i

entire cloak, Jace stood in front of them. His voice was clear in

different fronts. Many won't come back. I rely on

racing. I wanted to fall with him, to battle with him, t

. At my side was Rowan's apprentice. Kian was his n

rmth made my heart s

d a ridge. The scent of stone and pine filled the

y senses were as keen as his. I recalled hearin

night, they went by here. A ring of black-

ded. "Do you think the ca

ppear to hunt something, thou

e same rogue warband I've already f

as the forest drew in. The leaves dance

ld up a hand. I stopped. Lik

felt first. It made the trees tremble

to my belt and my dagger. In my chest,

owth. We were charged by wolves w

Kian was attacked by a wolf. I slashed acros

olf was hit between the shoulders by

him. The scent of soil and blood filled my

d by me. Its fur was scored by my blade. It snap

truck the leg of another w

d. A large sword with a blade as dark as shadows was in his hand.

at. His gaze briefly shifted to me. A sp

the wolf in front of him. His foot

e. He looked into my f

sprang forward and slapped the animal a

up. He was between the rest of the wolves and me.

lt down and touched its throat with the tip of

His cloak fluttered. His e

who you were. Emot

y dagger felt heavy. I started to s

lowered his bow. "She is with m

ain. He stepped forward. The wind slowe

e was so close. My heart pounded.

he said

desired to use my real name. I wanted to share ev

was too close in the cleari

t back down. He let out a deep exhale

my heart. On the mossy floor, I fell t

transpired," h

osed my eyes. Soon, I would tell

me that look first, though. Why my

appear into the woods. I shuddered in

s voice. Urgent and gentle.

le