Bound by blood freed by Fury

g from the center

l muddy, their breaths still uneven. The memory of the chase and the br

gry voices

lene's arm. "Som

he circle of warriors gathered near the fire pit. At the center,

ossed over her belly. Her clothes were torn and dirty. Beside he

His eyes were sharp. He held his

le!" someone shout

thing!" another added. "

ked. "She's

ke it. And Alaric is re

my! There is no room for weakness. No room for mistakes.

forward. "I l

stop you from risking everything!

didn't mean to... I didn't

of you are to be cas

d in agreement.

ped forward

to her. Alaric

and Mira. She placed her ha

stake, yes. But throwing her out? Alone? Pr

in. "We can't p

ew the

louder this time. "I wi

owd qu

en I will. I'll feed her, shelter her, make sure she doesn't s

at Selene with

ed. A few shook their he

efully. "They're

ogues. We know pain. We know betrayal. Are we now the ones casting

o turn away. Some in silence.

c did

e knew. He acted. He hid it. He will

d forward and grabb

amed. "No

to Alaric. "Do

"I won't. But I won't l

without another word, d

Only Selene, Mira,

nd, sobbing. "Thank y

mistake. A big one. But the pup insid

ene's side. "We sh

Find Elra. Tell

eft imm

mpty hut. She placed Mira gently on a bed of furs, then

s pa

er hair and sharp eyes. She stepped in without a wo

ra said. "But she ne

ns. "Whatever she needs, let me

. Then nodded. "You're do

he room, Selene s

u," Selene said. "

an to... I just... I thought maybe we h

ng? It will test all of us. But now you have a bigger

odded

ve one chance. Do better. I'll he

I pro

est. You'll need

tside and foun

ay?" he

wil

d y

had risked her life for. The sil

to talk to Alaric. He n

luck. He looked read

make sure i

on in her shoulders heavier than ever.

ide of the room, staring

s it, S

r. "I found this

out the

ce changed. He took it gentl

ged to yo

nd she'

yes were filled with something

n all this time. They l

er. "I need your he

ime, Alaric

"Tell me everything.