The Lunar Bond

, her dark hair dancing in the night breeze. Below, the vast forest stretched like a sea of darkn

Moonwhisper Pack had ever known-not by choice, but by disaster. Twelve years had passed since the

gain," a deep voic

eta. The moonlight traced the scar on his left cheek-ea

g," she answered

warmth comfortable in the chill night. "The

dare before the pack council. "She questioned

consciously brushing the pack-bond mark on his wrist. "Mor

m too young, too soft. That I'm not fit to be Alpha."

-a move that sent unexpected warmth through her veins. "Your paren

etween them. Twelve years of partnership, trust, standing t

days," she said softly. "According

htly. "The pack expects it. They say a

thought sent ice through her blood. Rachel was older, more experienc

won't let that happen. If

eeze swept through the trees, bringing the smell of ancient magic. Empre

t?" she whispered

scanning the tr

r enhanced senses noticed changes in the forest-night birds gone sil

rn wolf, but the smell was wrong-not quite human, not quite werewolf. It carried

, moving closer to the cliff's e

from Mooncliff, shifting mid-air into her wolf form-bl

th an underlying current of power that made her fur stand on end

cled a clearing where the first werewolves had made their covenant with the Moon Goddess. The magical wards pr

ound him like a cloak, making his shape blur. His presence made the

d in Empress's mind: "Your fate comes, my daughter.

g that made her wolf want to submit despite her Alpha rank. His face-angular, with high cheeks and

tly, his voice like a caress. "Though I

oud. "You're trespassing on holy ground. Who ar

with energy. The air between them crackled with an

k to the woman beneath-made her feel exposed in a way that had nothing to do with her nakedness after shifting. "And

e. Something that hunts both of us. I didn't want to

still in wolf form. She rai

eed your help," he whispered. "And you n

between them-a knowledge beyond words or reason. Her dog

ighting to maintain composure when ever

nged his face. "You can't. Not yet." The

Empress knelt beside Lucas, feeling the heat coming

We need to get him b

th suspicion. "We don't know who-or what-he i

rry in his eyes. Was it merely fear for

o him," she said firmly. "

e of the clearing-something that seemed to

ers with desperate focus. His hand gri

whispered. "And now t

st was abou