raw skin with every jolt of the truck. Scarlett had s

ing, snickering, calling her "r

t respond. She

ew where they

idge

ce she

she swor

ard wanted h

fear-because of hate. Hate so deep, it bur

l crunched. The back doors opened, a

e of the war

bruises painting her throat. Her gown was torn, soaked i

yes said

arling pack members and sneering females, u

mi

Muscles tight beneath a black shirt. Golden eyes are sharp as b

wanted

d, she

ds, Alpha?" she taunted,

"Still running yo

felt it. So did he. The guards look

d. Slowly. Deliberatel

d inches

ed, his voice low, dangerous. "And yet my

t skipped. Then

o, no

uldn'

eyes darkening.

re my

her harder t

t slapp

a

didn't flinch. His face turned slowly back

murmured. "I'm going

lips curl

play danger

oice was ca

e'd struck an Alpha. Not just any Alpha-the brutal one. The kind wh

raid of you

pped c

our first

d, and yanked her into the packhouse. Doors slammed behind them.

im. Clawed at him

sive office with locked windows and heavy furniture.

he door shut and

thudded in

ade you strong?" he as

e free," s

w tigh

de you min

ent her over the edge in one swift move. Her br

ent?" she snarle

ainst her spine. "Be carefu

ers. The crackle of the mate bond flared betwe

at-not tight, just enough to

"I should leave your back raw like

d just enough to glare

smi

. Because you're my curse. And because,

Not biting. Not kissing. Just breathing her in. And it

red. But not with pain. With

epped

like

Shaken. And aching in wa

ed the door, e

Alpha wing tonight. Not because you earned i

wait for h

l

r the desk, wasn't sure if s

aited unti

moonlight slicing through the glass. She stood in the far corner of th

t touched

adn't

e she

The heat.

waking up.

ing f

wouldn't

Everything was locked-magically, too. Silver lined the windows, and the air shimme

mirror etched with runes. Her mind r

omewhere

as a blade

t spun

slung around his hips like he hadn't just walked in on a crim

art th

cent

not

my room,"

rame, arms crossed over his chest, golden e

said. My wing.

ask to be

ward her, each step measured, every

I asked?" h

the mirror was col

ond was pulsing now. The scent of arousal and

w. Her wolf clawed inside her

t touch her. He just looked at her li

ou going to do? Run barefoot into the forest

free than live

es dar

cage, Scarlett.

her head. Not touching. Just close. Just en

he whispered. "Wait until y

never

s brushing her jaw but never

d back. Turned

eaving the ro

rough the ward. But remember this, Scarlett-if you survive the pain, you'll

the door b

t from fear, not from rage but fro

anted

anted

in two nights, she knew it w