CROWNED BY BLOOD

heavy with the scent of blood, singed earth, and fear. Medics scurried among the wounded, and the once vibrant gathering ground

d, certainly not something I could explain anyaway. I expected whispers, suspicion, maybe even

ething calculated in his posture, not threatening, but deliberate. I c

said, his voice low and steady. "Not ju

but I don't recall a

, his dark eyes unreadable. "Luna Blackwood. The reje

d to ice. "You

saw it in the way you moved. And you

to the surface in panic. "You don

e crossed his arms. "The kind of power you displayed? That

u any explanati

I've been looking for someone like you. Not just because of your abilit

ord prophecy sent a

rstand why you've been hunted. And to offer you

ut something in his tone grounded, almo

ou really

orld is tipping, and if we do

moonlight dappled through the trees. Kai leaned f

werewolf world," he began. "Something anc

rrupt, though

n. They knew who you were, what you are. The last royal descendant of the Moon Goddess's line. If you'd come int

went dry.

have thought it was his decision, but someone was whis

beneath me, nails di

s, even corrupted wolves. They want to destroy pack society from th

to fit Celeste's warnings, my parents' secre

laughtered. No warning, no survivors. Except me. I survived because I wa

"You think it was

been tracking them ever

to absorb the weight of his words. When I finally sp

alli

again. Hea

iracy. I'll help you reclaim yo

r, both wary and curious. "

e said plainly. "And because I

arms, the kind left by claws not just physical woun

cus," I said before

I'm not. But I've

ns of a once-sacred place. The moon above bore witness to th

e of a diplomatic exchange. Celeste stood nearby, silent bu

tebook. "This has names. Movement

ed Alphas. Sightings of shadow creatures from the northern tund

hat we're

someone on the inside, someone who can wal

lowly. "I don't tru

said, his tone softening. "Bu

ssed between us, something de

f somethi

by a pull I couldn't n

he said. "But if we succe

out to sha

through me electrically, primal. I gasped, and so did

e, eyes wide. "

red. But I did. Deep dow

a mate.

hing far mor

ssib

ldn't help but feel the stirrings of something I wasn't ready to

funny timing

didn't feel alone.