The Lunar Bond

before her like smoke, but she felt the cold bite of their power as she passed through-like running throu

ls on his arms flickered weakly, and sweat beaded on his face. Despite his weakened state, she co

tween them and the approaching darkness. Her wolf fo

ed from his arms, leaving only faint silver remains of the strange symbols. But his h

adow creature she'd faced earlier stepped into the cle

. "But you can't protect t

er teeth in a s

rity of her position as Alpha-and released it in a wave of pure ener

ishing like mist in morning sun. Their leader

hissed. "The heir must

ay, leaving only a la

ling so much power. She turned to find Lucas looking at her with those amazing g

his voice soft with wonder

the danger they'd just faced. His skin still burned with strange heat, but the bleeding from his wound had slowed. Up close, sh

Beta stirred, the black tendrils that had w

His eyes widened when he saw Lucas in Empress's arms, a flash of some

e to keep the respect from her voice. "Whatever

ainst hers where she supported him, sending another jolt of awareness through her body. "I remember bein

ysterious symbols on his arms had faded to barely v

s decided, trying to focus on her tasks rather t

s darted between Empress and Lucas, noticing how closely they stood. "Bringing a s

a and as something more personal that had been unspoken between them for years. With

t explain, told her Lucas belonged here-with her. The

time there was no missing the current that passed between them where their ski

her on a level beyond words. Her wolf stirred beneath her skin, reaching for him in a

s looked at him, his face was carefully neutral, but she k

ough the forest, following secr

any sign of the shadow creatures' return-and tried to ignore the

against her ear. "I never meant to bring danger to your pac

him. "The Moon Goddess works in mysterious ways," she said softly, wondering if he fe

rp look but stayed s

Dawn's first light touched the eastern sky, turning clouds to pale gold. The

causing them all to fall

oice tight with fear. "There's

erewolves gathering in one place. For someone still lear

r hands on either side of his face, her touch gentle but f

ing heart slow, his breathing steady as their gazes locked. Their energies coordinated, lik

When Empress glanced at him, his face

id. "Both of you..

f the den-a warning call, followed by another, and another. T

ck members gathered, drawn by the noise. At their head,

he looked at him, his face showed not fear, but res

he said softly, "tha

her place as Alpha-or destroy it completely. And beyond the political danger lay a more personal risk: the undeniable pu

t what he might mean to her. The answer waited in the growing light of dawn, along with chall