THE ALPHA'S FATED BEAST

a's

ters stood by the walls, still like stone. I sat with my dad and Kane, my hands tight togeth

as smooth as silk, deadly as a blade. His silver hair was neat, his clothes costly,

oft from him. "You are fai

"Don't. Don't t

y dad's anger filled the room. "Not like that, Alpha Marcus. Ele

s touch firm. His wolf was near the skin

I pushed out, voic

ied blood came from it as he laid it out on the table.

r-the loops and lines just like in her

us Drakemoor in a sacred blood tie. For six months of life, I say that Maya Rose Blackwood will be his mate

ied blood was

aid slowly. "That

ey. "Your mom was clear on the time. She

ce was cold. "You are a rogue.

h in his eye-maybe knowing, maybe awe. "You've made a strong pack, Kane Shadowmere. Your l

asked, his voice making i

born came." Cyrus looked at me again. "Elena didn't just

f moved uneasy, feeling some

s," I started slow

ound like ice breaking. "My chi

Even my dad l

"The words are old. Old

ble. "Or is that just what they told you? Winners write

er the blood moon, with the power of the first wolves, will come. This child may bring all supern

azy," I sa

world changing when you're mad." His hand moved near my shoulder, not quite touchi

" My father's v

orn. The one who set half of Europ

ed. "There w

ng, completely lost by the end." He sat back down, looking pleas

lk. Kane held

love over power, softness over might. And a

en to Maya," Kan

k when the visions hit, the fear in her eyes when she loo

dn't know, couldn't tame. The visions were stronger, more often. And so

e was gentle. "You do

e only one who can show her how to use it. I

I asked, though I

become my mate, my partner, my equal. Toge

d up, his power cl

ull for two leaders. "Show me the mating mark, Kane

te yet, not made the real tie that would join us.

rus went on. "It's older, stricter than any new rul

owly. My wolf inside was mad, ange

te, or watch as all you love is lost. Because trust me, Maya if you say no to me, I wi

ack's fear, their doubt. They looked to me for what to do,

ding to the door. "Three weeks to say bye and ge

at awful smile. "And Maya? Don't run. I've h

soft click, leaving

said at last. "A blood pa

older than our rules, tighter than our ways. If Elen

he was dying, and she was alone. She migh

said. "She died before

back down, the weight of my mom's

holding my hands. "We'll fin

gic, to grow his power. And he's right about one thing: my powers are stro

e said strongly. "Whatever co

fights might not be won by love alone. And deep down, I felt the blo

hat maybe I really was turning into a monster, and maybe he was the onl

from a number I did not know: *The blood remembers,