ter

an'

h a grunt. Sweat dripped down my forehead as I straight

flashing him a smirk. "But

aty brow. "You know me too well, Alpha. Didn

Luke's unwavering loyalty and easy jokes never fai

could never beat me,

idn't argue. As my beta, Luke knew his

m the training area. Luke took a long g

hile since you took a mate. May

od gone in an instan

on?" I asked, keepi

ck's future, that's all. The Blood Moon thing is days away, you'll officially

Luke to bring up this topic with a

nd my sister. When will you all accept I'll

n a calming gesture, hi

"The pack is thriving under your leadership. But even the strongest tree needs deep roots to

as this constant pushing could be, I knew Luke spoke

ed into this. When the Moon Goddess decides it's time for me to find my fated

ing to accept my

armers along the west border reported more rogue activity in their fields. They'r

familiar weight of respo

picked up any tra

u know how slippery those rogue scum are. We'd be wis

rder was always a hotspot for rogue packs slipping throu

mountain ash - that should deter even the boldest trespassers. But keep you

ned grim, but he nodd

have the builders focus effort

moment before g

't afford any lapsed defenses, n

the shoulder, his

warriors loyal. Whatever threats lurk beyond o

drawing strength from Luk

et's go inspect the

faint unfamiliar scent drifting on the breeze. Eart

on alert. "What is i

elusive trail deeper into the forest. Luke kept pace besid

weaved between ancient trees. The trail grew stronger with every stride until it was unmi

edged with concern. "This could

urging me onward with a ferocity I couldn't ignore. The scent w

re, lying in a rapidly expanding pool of blood, was the source of that bewitc

ective wolf so powerful, it stole my breath. I shifted to human f

y. "Is she one of us ?Do

tely, his expression a mi

ncountered her befo

imly, tightening my grip

and clammy. Whatever - or whoever - had done this

e was so small, so frail... Yet she'd fought

owled, already rising with my precious cargo. "Thi

ng a wary glance at th

y, sent by rivals to sow discord. Perhaps wiser

h a look that cou

a?" I all but snarled, the wo

back a step. "N-No, Alpha. Of

ous stranger. I looked down at her ashen face, brushing a

murmured, more to myself than he

shing my body to its limits as I raced toward my territory. The pack hea

ed in my arms, I knew with soul-deep th