balcony railing, staring down at the pack grounds below. From this height, t

lders had delayed their decision again. Each day without an answer was another

f torches down by the training fields. "They're weak," she murmur

her silk robe trailing softly

his neck. "They're dragging their feet. Mari

's eyes flashed with quiet irritation.

s features. But then he squared his shoulders, hardening h

g her cheek against his chest. "That's right. You made your cho

ghtly on her head, bu

ened around his shirt. "You're doing this for us. For a new

furrowed. "What

m, "they won't stop fighting for her until she's no longer an option. Sh

yl

ever touch her. But accidents happen. Maybe she never makes i

tightened. "Do

lace, tossing a letter into the flames. "You're too soft, Brand

igher as the paper

e ticking in his jaw. "No more game

e was brittle, sharp as g

hunder rum

himself he wasn't like her. He wouldn't cross that line. But deep inside, a darker voi

ngered on his reflection, her e

rs in secret, her voice low and urgent. "We

on't?" one o

line. "Then we'll lose him. Or wo

traced her finger along the windowp

she whispered, "but this p

naturally with the pack's secret meeting about

ack still followed tradition. Tonight, though, it was alive again-dim lanterns f

ave the luxury of waiting," she said, her voice steady, though exhaustion laced every word. "Brandon's already cros

to his face, leaned forward. "We raised him. Watched hi

thern edge of their lands. "He's confused. Kylie's twisted him

r. You saw the post. You've heard the whispers. She's positioning herself as L

ppled aroun

ed. "Before she tightens her grip.

e again, slower this time. "And what are you suggesting

ibly on her shoulders. "I'm saying... if he wo

ath from across the t

ers leaving, doubting, wondering if the Alpha still puts the pack first. How

sank deep,

he table, a quiet voi

she still carries the mark. She was chosen. If there'

side, muddy from the night's rain. "They've left the

She's isolating him. Pul

d the younger wolf. "Track

he looked around the room, her voice low but fierce. "If Brandon forces our

hanged heavy,

ind howled thr

, unseen eyes watched the windows, lip

the night, vanishing before

anced over her shoulder, sensing something. But Brando

he said, not seeing th

murmured.