t care that my fe

night, guided only by the pale eye of the moon. My breath fogs the air, each gasp sharper

e pack. About *him*. If I do, the

snaps b

he sigh of wind through pines. Shivering, I trudge onward, clutching

urring the world. My stomach growls, empty since yesterday's ha

icks agai

es through

this is ragged,

ozen mud. My lungs burn. Another howl a

sked my trail. But exha

irl, dagger raised, as three wolves slink from the shadows. Their coats are

ol dripping. Rogue Alphas. Worse

mmand trembling in my throat.

nd eyes like spoiled meat steps forward. "Pretty t

ons laugh,

dagger. "I'll cut your th

ses, then backhands me. I crash into a tree, the

h a clawed hand to my throat. "Let'

narl erupts

earing out the rogue's throat. Blood sprays my fac

wolf turn

clutching my stom

ars laddering her arms. She spits rogue blood into the snow.

scent is wild-thunder

stomach. "Ho

mont

a canteen. "Drink. T

ed with herbs. My vision

darkness swallows me. "Can'

*

to fire

arth carved into a cave wall. Veniso

usting a skewer at me.

my chin. She watches, sharpening a

yr

g from

tate.

e de

sh in my mouth. "So

orts.

ind wails. Thora tosses me a

e?

abs her knife into the dirt. "I'm heading north. You'l

nding. She's rut

ss my hand to the spot. *See?* I tel

is a low growl. "One rule: You don't slow me d

rd r

isn't

the storm rage. For the first time

esn't

*

rings

ra leaps clear. I'm slower, belly throwing off my bala

hrash, boots scraping for purchase. T

me onto the bank. Thora slaps

er, sobbing. "I c

"Because if you die, I'll gut you

mber in my chest. *Sur

wal

armor. Thora doesn't sp

out behind the mou

," Thor

The world tilts. "J

fingers bruising.

ser than before. T

behind a boulder

Thora shifts, meeting them mid-leap.

f circles b

!" I s

sink into her hind leg. She roar

ogue lunge

racks against his skull. He stumbles. I slam

enc

hed to the bone. She eyes the dead rog

, hands shaking.

s her sleeve, bandag

A gentle kick answ

almost smili

rth

to the trees, two shadows cling