heart hammering

ycan

e pups around campfires. He wa

est part of the forest, where no she-wolf w

screamed. But

recog

esence grew stronger, bolder. Do you feel that? she

to make sense of w

You've heard of me," he said. It wasn't a question. His voice was rich wit

just a story," I m

sement, "often hold more truth than t

h his scent-earth and storm, power and danger. It curled ar

ontinued. "A place no wolf dares cr

aid quickly. "I was run

ned just a little. "Your wolf is wo

ard. "You can

n fee

ed in some way. But that couldn't be. The mate bond with Darius had snappe

lethal creature-was looking at

," I whispered, taki

You're exactly where

"What do

ering, he turne

u," I said firmly, though my vo

eart of the Shadowwild. You've already been hunted once tonig

not even once. I was the only one in my age group who hadn't

g's voice held no

stepped forward. "

re safe.

oll

-

it now felt... alive. Trees parted for him. Shadows bowed away. The deepe

tood. Its black stone walls glowed faintly under the moonligh

ouse. It was somet

g to meet his gaze. I stayed close to him, unsu

fortress was

at whispered of old magic. Walls that hummed with power.

fire crackling in a stone hearth. Th

nodding toward

never leaving him. "You stil

handed it to me. "Names carry power, littl

y, ancient-like it belon

aid, wrapping my fingers around t

ng. "You haven't shifted yet. But you will. A

"You can't

pped into my territory. There's something sleepi

special. I'm the rejected omega daughter of

"Because they could sense your

my chest like a

tler now. "Stay here tonight. In the mor

hat is

ing ancient flickered in h