FATED BY BLOOD AND FIRE

ill

me, I sense its weight through trembling breath in the darkness. Entering the cabin, I push aside my cloak to ease the

continues to burn behind my eyes like flickering flames in the darkness. As I pull the blank

side. I feel my pulse racing as I recall the tenderness in his eyes when he saw me in daylight. I sh

of the wooden grain beneath my fingertips connects me firmly to this moment. I concentrate solely on my obj

n dominates the night sky, casting silver reflections across the ground below. The packhouse walls stand dark and

ub to my hand and watch as the flame starts to flicker. The floor becomes co

otsteps completely as I move across it. My ear presses against the door while I listen carefully for

The room becomes engulfed in darkness as I allow my eyes to adapt. I settle back onto the bed

oday. He protected me without hesitation while his eyes held haunting shadows and his mouth formed a tense

g night. The blanket's edge grips my fingers tightly as my knuckles turn white. By moonlight, L

way from my shoulders in wing-like motion. My gaze scans the darkness while my heart beats rapidly

tightly around me while shivers run down my spine as the cold sensation of fear courses through me. I strain

tly speak his name while listening to the way it reverberates through the confined space. His generous o

n while the room continues to spin in darkness. The cool strength of the rough wood bedpost meets me when

with the vision of Lucien's haunted gaze lingering in my mind. I make a silent promise to myself that m

light seeps under the door as my eyes open. Stretching my body makes the blanket fall away from my

e I press my ear against the door. Two wolves carry on a friendly conversation through low

nd fresh as it heralds the start of a new day. Lucien attends to a pot next to the fi

le yet intense burn fills the space between us. I cross my arms before deliberat

a heat that forces me to gulp against the sudden intensity. His eyes darted away quickly as

ien gives strong and clear instructions, and I observe his shoulders moving. The sight of his physic

s briefly as his look holds a mix of worry and something far deeper. I give a single nod befor

e rabbit trail by watching the ground beneath my feet. The old memories of tracking alon

and the space between us becomes electric. As my hand touches the branch that hangs over the stream, some

ence his skin against mine with its cool and gentle contact. My breathing catches, and I look away before

stands tall and prepared, and I follow him without hesitation. Thoughts whirl through my mind

ruth. The wolves assemble at the stone circle, which serves as their decision-making site. At the stone circle's

breath catches while I wonder if they have detected my deception. Lucien's gaze moves toward me whil

eartbeat becomes a powerful drum echoing through my ears as panic takes hold. Lucien gently places his han

I provide our names when the elder requests them. The contact of Lucien's body against mine

ed me without my awareness. The council's discussion moves forward as they discuss alli

lose my arms around myself and create a faint grin. He inquires about my health, and I acknowledge with a n

ground. After entering, I placed the bowl on the table before closing the door. Inside the

reeze as his proximity makes the question feel immediate and intense. I start to speak, but the wo

y heart pounds fiercely while he steps towards the door to answer. The knock comes again, s

ine, expecting an answer. My mouth opens wide while my heart pounds against my ribcag