ust a random marking-it felt like a threat, deliberate and personal. The air aroun

face carved in stone. She could feel the tension radiati

ena asked, her voice b

ant tree line. "It's a warning," he said. "And a promise

weight of his words sinki

he woods, his posture tense. Finally, he said, "Beca

"Me? What do I ha

unnatural. You are showing up here, carrying whatever darkness you're ru

her head. "I didn't even know about

aid, his tone sharp. "They care that

o the forest, the ruins of the pack's den looming ahead. The pack was al

ir glowing eyes tracking her every move. Some were in wolf form, others

e commanding. The murmurs and gro

is voice carrying through the ruin

h the pack. Lena could feel their anger and

n take what's ours." He paused, his gaze sweeping over the p

ad man with dark hair and a scar running down the side of h

king his chin toward Lena. "Why shou

wisted as all ey

encing the murmurs. "Lena is under my p

rotection won't mean anything if

s voice a deadly calm. "Do

ought they might come to blows. But Dren finally lowered h

just as we always have. They think they know our weaknesses,

ruins, away from the prying eyes of the pack. He leaned ag

stayed in the v

And let them blame me fo

on't have to prove yourself to them

r voice. "I didn't ask for this, but I'm not going to just sit back and let i

eyes narrowing. "You don't k

g his gaze. "Whatever this is-whatever they thi

respect in his expression. "If you're serious, then you'll need t

ything less," she sai

er to a secluded clearing in the forest, where the gr

going to hurt?"Lena mutter

ed. "Becau

t fight fair. They'll come at you with everything they have. If you want

f," she said,

tronger than you think. And if

ast. Lena barely had time to react as he grabbed her

he said, his

led to her feet, her pride stin

u," he replied, circling h

narrowly avoiding his grasp. He nodded approvingly

ted, and covered in dirt. But there was a fire in

athing steady. "Not bad,"

tered, wiping swe

aid. "The real train

nd more oppressive. Lena could sense it-a growing tensi

them at the inn, her

r marking," she said

ssion darken

square. They're not hiding a

at Kael. For the first time, she saw

" he said, his voice low. "But

for the pack-they were coming for her. And no amoun