THE WONDED LUNA

Three: A

her eyes to un

d in the air, and sunlight streamed through tall windows. The room was quiet, t

s stacked with folded linens, a table with bowls of steaming f

mped when th

was

ha

evealing muscular arms dusted with scars. His pants were tucked into leather boots. His

ake," he s

oat was still dry. Her bo

ke you," he said as he stepped

ly. "How long h

o d

uth fe

Infection setting in. The

s had been cleaned. Her wrists were w

you help me?

er for a moment

hat much pain in her sce

. She had always been good at hiding her pain back home. Smi

through it all in

with round cheeks and bright eyes. She introduced her

y. "You're staying, right? E

blinked

brought back himself. He carried you here. Even

brows lif

gled. "You sh

e Astrid could

trying to make

Cane hel

he being

days p

lor did too. She was given new clothes-simple leggings and a loose tunic-a

he physical wounds s

ith a baby or heard a child's la

stomach, feeli

. Her ch

se of

r "immature"... the way the guards had

ght it would

did

er a tree near the training g

eping," Cane's voice

idn't

e now?" she

ch eve

ward and stoo

in silence

wolf," he f

linch. "I ne

hy

, blinking hard. "I guess

surprise him. He did

had a mate

ned to him

ve in fated things. I believe

is jaw was tight.

bout love?"

Love is just another form

tighter. "Then I've be

xpect what h

at bes

n he had ever dar

he said quietly. "You were be

one had said that to

g of tears and qu

en know me,"

her then, l

And I know strength when it'

eyes l

e reached out and gently br

dn't w

ane called her to t

meet the warr

d. "I'm not str

wil

ng, sparring with swords and claws. T

rid. She's o

Someone droppe

froze.

eyes. "I need a beta who's survived fire

he men and women s

elief. Others nodde

what I can do," she

o the slightest smi

ng was

aired her against the strongest warrior, a broad

throne. She ducked, blocked, punched. Her instincts kicked in.

ion, her lip was bleed

e stoo

e handed her a towel. "You j

est rising and fallin

ded. "

urned to her room, she fo

ned it

ck, lined with red-and a broo

top in sharp, c

carry. Wear it l

at it for a

sed it to

od at the watchtower whe

id, eyes wide. "They're saying.

id f

came forward. Claimed he's th

s heart

attacked Kara

breath

, "Kael's been stripped of

her face tow

s parte

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