LIAS

aked face stared up at me, and each time I looked at it, something twisted violently

Zeke said, his voice clipped and professional. He'd sw

ng guards and trackers."Whoever delivered

es off Golden's face.

ind him,

're no closer than we were yesterday. Someone walked right up to my door i

argue. He couldn't. The breach wa

without waiting for permission, her expression

results from Miss M

tone left no r

cted she'd already memorized every detail.

go.The genetic markers match those we have on file fro

definitely min

Miss Mayers' DNA." Margaret hesitated. "There's something else, Alpha. During the examination, I f

t want to talk about this, didn't want Zeke

ies?" Zeke asked, h

of water. Scarring consistent with near drowning." Margaret's voice gentled. "Miss Mayers, these injuries sh

I said flatly. "By the time I woke up,

ce the window. His shoulders were

ribs can be rebroken and reset. Physical therapy might improve her lun

I've managed for three ye

d firmly. "These injuries cause you pain, don't t

ldn't take a full breath without feeling like something was pressing against my chest. But I'd

facing the window. "For now, Margaret, I need you to document ever

s, if you experience any acute pain or difficulty breathing

ng. Zeke remained at the window, his back to me. I could see

died," he

I did

es that should have killed you. You spent three months in a coma with no one but

thing raw in his eyes that I couldn't name. "You should have b

That's how I ended up with thos

that his palace hadn't been safe for me. His pack hadn't protected me. His sister in law

quietly. "I know

n't sa

'd been paying attention, if I hadn't been so wrapped up in my own guilt and grief ov

ou

rewrite the

ne buzzed and he glanced at it. "The trackers are ready to give th

mediately.

wearing the Brooke Pack insignia. They stood when Zeke entered, the

ered how long it would take

Miss Mayers." He nodded to each of us in turn. "

ind?" I asked b

arts here at the preschool. It leads through the main street, past the market, and into the resid

aned forward. "Y

her screen showing chemical analysis. "We found traces of wolfsbane and mountain ash at

they were doing. This wasn't some opportunistic ki