CLAIMED BY THE ALPHA OF THE SOUTH

through IceCla

bling low and long like a predator's growl. It was something deeper. A pulse in the ea

atterns, double-checking weapons, reinforcing the gates, sharpening blades with more force than necessary. Everyone c

behind her pulled

ga

ather at the West wall," he said, voi

d. "I'll

go. His shoulders were stiff with tension, and though he said nothing else,

foll

---

n from the cliffs, fat and fast. Beth stood at the front with Elder Mara, giving orders in

aid, voice carrying over the

through the ga

ved closer

line. Twenty strong. Marching fast." H

landed li

his breath. "That bast

re we sure this is an at

se. Too quiet. They're not makin

h twisted. "Then

ept. But we don't strike firs

"Then let's n

whitened. Logan was just ahead, riding with the Beta and two other warriors. Beth kept close to

es moved quie

Nathan might step out from behind a tree, te

acted," Beth

at her. "Do you kn

med he was in the sou

there yesterd

"Maybe Derek r

d, but her chest was a

and they all turned as a rider galloped up the

said, a crooked grin tugging at his

he hell

rek sent me to the eastern border to scout. We

arrowed. "You we

but there were signs of a rogue pack.

"And you didn't th

iliar smirk. "Didn't thin

. annoy

by the edge of the

emblem, stitched bright silver against navy cloaks, was enough to make Crystal's pulse throb. The last time she had

like the sto

, clear, and slick with mock pol

. "Turn around. Th

"Is it? I must

Lucien. She hated how calm he looked. How collect

s toward our border in silence

ou an explanation. But if you must know; we were tracking a rogue pack. Lost them near your

rpened. "You're n

Is that how you t

not f

Something shifted in his smile. "P

ffened be

I will end you,

Maybe that's what you've been teachin

Logan could lunge. "Say what yo

Lucien's gaze. It wasn't anger. It wa

ulat