THE WOLF'S KING BRIDE

ood in the

he red smear trail downhill like a brushstroke across a blank canvas. Another wol

s beside me, squatting near the bo

d. He already

behind us. A scout, thin and wide-e

?" I

iting, my king. And... word

Jarek

irl. From the prophecy

tif

I ask, though

. She came with the emissary. S

rse. "You're going

the pack. If this bond

the idea

s. Doesn't mean I get

w from his knees. "You

ge. The only thing that will stop Rowan

his eyes. The doubt. The quiet quest

nd turn away

the cleanup. I have a

Hall is

adows. They can feel her. Even without see

ing near the hearth, wrapped in a dark coat,

she doesn't

late,"

rns. S

lls back an

. No soft-spoken diplomat. She looks me in t

orpse in the snow and a death stare

't have

"Then we already have

and insistent, pulling at someth

You understand w

d I didn't h

he bond doesn't c

elieve in fa

lieve in survival. And I beli

d. "So that's wha

say. "A

lanning to mate me to keep the packs from going t

to fight me o

have to fight. You already ha

nd something wild beneath it. Her wolf is pressed jus

y. "I just need you to stand bes

arms. "And wha

bristle. Jarek takes a step

on't,"

why

other will come for you. And because some

life. I've learned how to i

not what

, voice low. "

e between us. One b

this either, Lyra.

our claim. Brand your pretty little mark. Do whatever

anyone without

"Consent. From a man who executes

n't offered freely. You'll find out just how dangerous

get

r expression cracks. T

ut my father,"

n't question what yo

e at ea

silent, save

moment, st

," I say. "Until then, you'll remain in

need pr

suggestion. Someone is murdering

protect

sking my on

nd walks past me, str

a,"

ut doesn't

d. I won't mark you

's a

ooking back, "What makes

ars into th

ife hell," Jarek says, once

alrea

to go through

y. The scent of her ling

than I expec

necessarily

kno

the war roo

you going?"

e ceremony. And do

Rowan's mov

t somet

r to the war r

ble in jagged claw marks, is a sym

that should have di

od goe

and mutters a curs

ll does it m

e at t

dead aren't st