The Moon The King was Missing

hollow. First came the ringing in my ears, then the wall slammed in sidewa

he spat, and the boot landed once more, str

am. I learned long ago that screams only encouraged him. I

fath

ryone claimed to worship-they decided I was useful as an example. A rag with a pulse. The daughter of

ding the back of the kitchen; they thought no one in their right mind would run barefoot throug

air smelled of damp pine a

yet, just a drowsy murmur, an ember. I'd felt it since I was

d my hea

ry step, and I prayed to whatever wolf god still watched me. Just a little more, just a little, please. My ar

now if they were ours or if I'd unknowingly crossed the line. It didn't matter. If my men found me, I'

or. A breeze lifted the hem of my nightgown and chilled my sweat. I tripped over a root and, this time,

eling it wet my chin and its taste mingling with the blood on my split lip. The ringing in

I hea

oug

spoken in a p

smoke, and storm. My wolf ignited. A new, deep heartbeat answered him from my

u?" I wante

ad-shouldered, imposing. I noticed the way the

eat you like t

tleness that belied the tone of his voice. I felt the warm pad, the

bruises," he murmur

aw stars. I bit my tongue to keep from scr

why are you help

ecause I don't tolerate cowa

y wolf pushed from below, as if he wanted to finally break free. I wasn'

from?" I asked, forc

replied. Then he looked up as if se

ors. I recognized them by the way they planted their feet, by the

r on his eyebrow. "The perimeter i

at simple gesture there was

ordered. "Water

aces, his eyes lowered. The third took out a roll of bandages and a splinting board

st one brought the bandages closer. It was

without your permission," he sa

e pain had drained my strength, and his scent... the part of me that was m

odd

ld sweat to my skin. The younger man placed the canteen in my good hand, and I took small sips, careful not to choke. The blond

, looking at the leader. "Y

turned back to me.

Alpha Inigo, the one who ran fearlessly through these woo

managed

y name,

ed harder. His voice spoke my name a

f the King of the Alphas: the one who united clans to stop wars others started on a