CROWNED BY BLOOD

abin, my boots sinking slightly into the mossy earth. Across from me, Kai stood tall and s

ed, his voice cal

g in my chest that coiled, electric pulse I'd only recently

bmi

ed to hush, and for a heartbeat, nothing moved. Then Kai's knees buckled.

in horror. "Kai!

ing unreadable. Slowly, deliberately, he rose t

roughened with something between awe a

I'm sorry. I didn't think

ubmit. My wolf couldn't resist you. That wa

natural in my mouth, too big for someone like me,

're stronger than any wolf I've ever known. But power like that comes w

ver my chest. "What if I can't? What i

imply. "But I don't think I'll

at him, surp

o crave power for its own sake. You didn't ask for th

mall human town on the edge of neutral territory, a place where werewolve

ed from broken windows, screams echoed through the air, an

zeroed in on a small, trembling group of children cornered near a

ai warned, gra

him off. "The

any rogues are here,

t let t

ing in rhythm with my footsteps. As I neared the children, the rogues t

g on that ancient fire inside me. Th

nd you t

ded from my che

eyes clouding with confusion, then clarity. Slowly, p

nce

ar-streaked faces. I knelt, lowering my

odie stepped forward first

dued rogues. "You commanded them. Not just

ng. "I didn't mean to do it l

inging to my legs. "Happened

face as she scooped her daughter into her arms. "Thank you

harder than I expect

tant pack, a gnarled old man with milky eyes and a

felt like hours, his cl

he said finally. "The

asked, my voice bar

blood, able to command the wild and tame the warring tribes. She will

a stone dropped in t

aying...

your eyes. The gift in your voi

to Kai. "

's why I sought you out. But I want

Am I supposed to rally packs

rone. I just want to sto

ren't enemies," Kai said

it all. Destiny, prophecy, power. I didn't asked f

id. "We find the ones beh

usement, but with pride

nd for once since Marcus shattered my w

rp