Stolen Mate

treaks on the mossy ground. I knelt, fingers brushing the velvety leaves of a nightbloom plant-its petals glowed faintly, ready to be plucked. *For the fever tinctures*, I

la

and wild, as always. She skidded to a stop, breathless, her amber eyes glittering with mischief. "You're *still*

"Someone has to restock the i

who'd prioritize yarrow over *this*. The mate ceremony's a once-in-a-l

months, settling disputes with the neighboring packs. The thought of him stirred something primal in me, a flicker I'd

a. Gentle. Wise. Not like those power-hungry she-wolves clawing for his attention." She wrinkled

mark, the elders said. But Lila's words felt like a stone in my gut. "T

sharp and bright. "Please

n hung thick. The pack bustled around bonfires, stringing garlands of ivy and wolfsbane between the cabins.

her grin fading. "You'

e one the Moon Goddess had chosen. And every fiber of me ached to believe it could b

let it drop. "Come on. Mara

t the heart of the village. Its doors were carved with howling wolves, their eyes gleaming

*

ingered in the doorway, watching the pack's shadows dance against the firelight. Laughter bubbled fro

la

raids coiled like serpents. Her milky eyes saw more

I'm... I'm g

ath is rarely smooth. Trust your heart

eply, she vanish

e woods. My fingers traced the dried herbs hanging from the rafters-thyme, sage, bitterro

he choo

ongue. Kieran was a leader, a warrior. I was a healer, happiest in

attered th

y, holding two steaming m

g-spiced cider, sweet and sharp. We sat on the floor, sho

lodge?" she said, grinning. "You were c

me into his

so loud, you wok

ter spilled out. For a m

r happens tomorrow... we'

way

and-cinnamon scent mingling with mine

into my cot, staring at the moon through the

ght. *Tomorrow, ev