eline still woke up sore, heart thumping out weird rhythms, but there was this stubborn fire in her chest. Not the kind that bur

re. Not today. She was

uck around, sticky and gross, like gum on your shoe after a summer sidewalk. F

dreams, all echoey and sharp, like a

h the memories. The girl flopped down next to her with zero grace, practically bounci

nn said, shoving bread into

ine muttered, which

he Wolves," Hann shot back, m

hea

. "There's a

le path through the trees. "Thought being a mate was

mean people don't screw it up. Mates

d, voice barely there. "That's the

ling. "Don't sweat it. I've got

smile. It sort of wor

good enough to le

f mid-breakdown, survived your own heart turning traitor, and got a bunch of rogues

t pick t

ts and stood. "But that's what splits you

round, Evangeline actu

other, grunting and laughing. Silas was right in the middle, shirtless (be

ed her r

't back down. Marched right

in," s

ked and that trademark crooked smirk creeping

not even blinking. "

something like pride

rd, but it didn't make

trembling, sweating, heart hiccuping like crazy. She fell twice, hit the

ng too hard,"

it break me. At least th

ody else could. She was sharp edges wrapped in softness, pain fo

taring up at the moon. She thought of her mom. The life she left behind. The versi

es, cold as winter, sizing her up li

ated to someo

deeper than any blade. Le

right there, close enough to startl

is voice was low

umbled, hugging her knees like may

ot it. Silence stretche

about him," he

gave it away. "I gave him my heart. It was already

steady and real. "He ne

the weird silver glow. "Seriously, why

. For a second, he looked almost otherworldly-lik

neck, you fought. You locked eyes with me, and I swear, I felt something-like your so

Goosebumps. Who knew

, just near enough to feel the warmth ro

t but serious. "You're still patching yourself up

asn't from being shattered. Nah, this was something untamed,

believe-she didn't have to

oonClaw Pack, things

on-stone rage. The council chamber echoed with the

" Kieran spat, voice raw. "Rogues. F

RedHowl," the Beta replied. "A

e a punch to the gu

her eyes, the hope in her smile. T

pered, as if saying it tw

let up. "You hum

her a way out," he growled. "Di

"Funny, though. The rogues? They actually came together fo

around. "What

e the Moon Goddess got it right. M

ed in. Heavy,

listening to the distant how

s building

time, he wondered