ael's

ry. I didn't stay to see Vinca draw his blade. An unbonded Omega i

lit service passages beneath the grand hall. I knew these hidden hallw

iron-reinforced hatch hidden in the lower archives. The old suppl

, and pulled the iron door shut, thr

ainst the metal door, sliding down until my knees hit the

y crates. Water

a small, trembling voice

into my throat

ar-old pup from the kitchen staff. He was clutching his left arm to his chest, his face

. "The floor shook... I fell down the st

to my knees. "Hey, shh, it's

Even in the dark, I could see the unnatural angle of his wrist. Brok

my mother's ancient journal from

like the higher-ranking alphas. But my mother had taught me the old ways, t

ainst the warm skin of his inner wrist. Closing my eyes, I focused on the faint, flickering

rm, golden light pushing through my fingertips

gasped as his crying slowed, the sharp pain smoothing out into a soft, numbing war

es reflecting the golden light. "Your h

ng weakly as the glow faded, leaving me dizzy

O

uddered violently. Dust ra

rew my arms around him, pulling him behind my back

h a horrifying screech of twisting met

bunker. Standing in the jagged opening above us,

er. Dark blood splattered his chest plate, and his dark hair was windblown from the chao

n. The Beast

for hidden threats. My breath hitched in my throat. I squeezed my eyes shu

r in the bun

smell of rust and smoke. A rich dark mahoga

like a physical strike, knocking the air straight out of my lungs. Deep within my soul, w

A

my mind, so loud it

ed my e

lower, the tip brushing the dirt floor. His chest was heavin

ker. His nostrils flared wildly as he drew in a r

ed, replaced by an expression

rumble that vibrated straight throu

with a thud as he reached a gloved han

rue m