Stone Of Severance

. She studied his face, illuminated only by the flickering firelight. He looked every

oden door. Raymond tensed, but a female

ng Angela's hand re

is secured for now, but our scouts spotted Nightfang m

raightening to that of the A

" Selena reported. Her gaze flicked to Ang

spike of uneas

" Selena said bluntly. Her eyes softened slightly as she a

le growl in his chest. "Angela is under my prot

t the flicker of approval in the Beta's ey

clear in every line of his body. Angela stood, crossing the few fee

rstand. This pack is my family. But to them, you're a huma

fiantly. "Then they'll ju

storm clouds of his expression. He lifted a hand, brushing her ha

arless," h

ot back, a smile tugging at h

he chaos outside the room fell away. Then a wolf's distant howl

ed over the treetops, casting the forest in silv

's final eclipse is in three nights. If the Nightfangs attack before then, we hold them off

is voice. "And if we don't find a

ered, voice raw. "Then I die. An

No," she said fiercely. "W

man with sandy hair and a fresh scar across his cheek ente

ned with old maps of the city and forest. Warriors crowded around a bank of monitors showin

stomach

gh the trees, their eyes catching flashes of moonligh

han we thought," Selena

d gold. "They want t

d forward. "W

yes narrowing. "Y

. "I'm not hiding

, the sound almos

er throat. "Alph

e. Selena nodded firmly. "She knows m

y. Finally, he exhaled, tension leaving his sho

cked radios, and reviewed positions on maps. Angela helped Selena prepare medical supplies: bandages,

e strapped on a chest rig of knives, the lean muscles of his arms shif

for a war," sh

r, eyes softenin

er. "Then I'll f

desperate, a clash of need and fear and something dangerously close to love

apart, they wer

a signal that the enem

ned as he pulled awa

. Angela stared, awe and terror battling inside her. His eyes met hers

lodge's makeshift infirmary. "We'll need you here,"

y were outnumbered. And she was trapped in the mid

screams, the crack of gunfire. Shadows flickered beyo

gela rushed forward, tearing his shirt away, pressing gauze to

chaos. Selena passed her a curved needle, and she

railing behind him. Then another. The air filled with the m

aping every time it opened. But each time, it was another warrio

angs tumbled inside, wrestling with Pride Pack warriors. Selena drew a long dagger, slashing with l

knife, heart hammering. A Nightfang loomed ov

d tore the Nightfang away, his wolf form a whirlwind of fury.

back as he turned to her, face and chest

demanded, voice

k. He pulled her into his arms,

ning Nightfangs back outside. The clash of steel and claws faded into t

locked on Angela's, raw emotion swirling in thei

aid fiercely, clutc

, full of everything they didn't have time to say. W

?" she asked,

"Bad. But we surviv

fierce. "They're retreating to regroup," she r

tween them. "The

this before the Blood Moon's fina

semble the council. Toni

eart pound

e attack the Nightfangs in their lair. If we kill t

if the prophecy is tr

gold. "Then I'll face it. But I

aying a hand on his chest

a kiss to her palm. "You're

ou're not leav

and failing-to hide a smile. "You'

pulling Angela

Angela sat with them, listening intently as Selena detailed the Nightfang Alpha's movements

"What if we draw him o

eyes widened thoughtfully. "If we can

ped toward her. "I

ly way. You said the Nightfangs see me as your

, torn between fury an

burst into the room, face pale. "Alpha, the

all man in a dark suit standing atop a skyscraper overlooking Silver

y the next sunset. Or I will burn your p

ng. Raymond's gaze locked on Angela, unflinching. "Then it