arrived. The scent of damp earth hung in the air, but t

symbol had been carved into the side of the old stone well. It was larger than the on

tood nearby, their faces pale and

ena asked, her voice b

l, his hand brushing over the carving. "It's not jus

? "Lena's st

l said, his voice cold. "They

essage had already spread through the pack. The tension was

are," Kael announced. "

ger. Dren, the scarred wolf, stepped for

"It's a trap, and you know it. If you walk

ne calm but firm. "And if I don't, they'll

hift to her. The guilt clawed at her chest, but

rshly. "She's not one of us. Why shou

ing the authority of an alpha. The room fell s

e sweeping over the pack. "That means she's under ou

ne s

at the edge of the room. "Get

her heart pounding.

rdened. "This isn't

she said, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at

ael just stared at her, his gaze unr

u're going to face them, yo

e just outside the den. The rest of the pack st

hey'll expect me to come alone. If I show up with th

e, they'll kill you

o humor in it. "That's why I'm n

him, incredulous. "

d. "We'll use that against them. T

on't know if I can fight,

rm. "You've been through worse.

ugh her hands tr

om the village and the pack's den. The trees loomed hi

ure calm but alert. The tension

ere," he s

w nothing but shadows. Then they appeare

weathered clothes. They moved with a quiet c

ace and cold, calculating eyes. He carried a silver b

s voice smooth and venom

Mason," Kael repli

a cruel smile curling his lips

atening, but Lena stepped for

aid, her voice steady despite

closer, his blade glinting. "You should've stayed away

blade aimed straight at Kael. Kael moved faster than Lena t

pread out, circling

me," Kael said,

and. Her training with Kael kicked in, and she ducked, narr

of gray fur slammed into him. One of the wolves-Dren-had joined the figh

ements precise and deadly. But the hunters

ther hunter came toward her. She clenched her f

onger than

om the ground and swung it with all her strength. It

ver, Kael was there, his claws flash

Two of the hunters lay unconscious, whil

mbled back. "You think this is over? "He spat. "You

gerous. "Run while you still can," he said.

er about him," he said, jerking his chin toward Lena. "Ask

vanished into the darkness, lea

n? "Kael asked,

clawing its way to the surface.

tening. "Then it's time to uncomplicate

mbling. "If I tell you, you mi

nspoken truths. But before Kael could press her

ers were

re regr