ead. The sky had darkened quickly, clouds swallowing the last hints of twilight. Beside him, Kyl

of the

andon, it was suffocating. Every mile they put between themselve

oft, melodic, threading into his thoughts like silk. Brandon'

ook at him. Her lips curved in a quiet smile, but her eyes

didn't

Eventually, they reached a small cabin nestled between the pines.

e murmured, standing beside him now, her

It's not permanent.

ough her voice remained g

Brandon lit a match, bringing warmth and light into the dim room. He

ffered, already moving t

he accident-since that night he found her, broken and bleeding, yet alive. She'd clung to him then, whi

ay, staring

faint glow of her phone screen casting shadows across her face. M

elt h

but Lindsay had waved her off. She

randon leaves pack territory amid scandal. K

augh escap

over the empty lawn. Somewhere deep inside, somethi

f their borders, tracing lines with her finger. The elder

whispered to herself

ow eyes glinted from the treeline

two steaming mugs on the tab

ze drifted-not toward him, but toward the

chi

ten

wl cut through the nigh

up sharply. "Di

didn't waver.

themselves were waiting for something. Maria paced near the fireplace, arms c

wan finally br

turn with her," he said grimly

e think we know. But the

him into her spell already. You saw how he looke

clenched into fists. "If we move too soon, we'll

said. "By sunrise. Either Brandon st

ed hard. "You

n no

her mind long after

the dark trees. Somewhere in the distance, a w

. Kylie had stepped outside, claiming she needed air. She'd been standing out ther

hing about her stillness unsettled him, like

n his glass, and open

smile faint but knowing

her gaze into the dense woods. Nothing stirred betwee

aiting for?" h

ering, she slipped her hand into his, fi

wned. "Time

in. "For everything

watched. A pair of golden eyes glimmered

at the window, unable to sleep. He

ned it.

ood ra

tertwined, the pair staring into nothing. And behind them, just for a moment,

heart

ll is she d

knock sounde

startled.

ar-came through. "W

find Elder Rowan standi

said grimly, holding up his ph

de to let him in.

. "It's not just B

oze. "Th

phone. The message

The heart of a queen.

message, her stomach

he wind ho

n's shadow, Kylie's laughter