asked, her voice shaking as

forest at a pace that seemed impossible for some

ne. Whatever-or whoever-made that sound wasn't a normal wolf.

a clung to him with her good arm, watching the shadows between trees for signs of pursuit.

, his voice low as they paused in a small cl

a whispered. "Elder Thorne said n

der Thorne is either a liar or a

ons, Lucian tensed. His head snappe

nded, then launched

ssible speeds. Tree branches whipped past, scratching Serena's

muscles ached from holding tight to him for hours. She glanced ar

said, setting her down carefully against a

as she tried to stand

pack." Lucian's golden eyes scann

an was from her father-from all the Silver Ridge wolves. There was something wi

ing back to her. "We'll r

herself. The morning air was chilly, an

" she asked, though she

ou have somet

r I don't even

a half-smile. "You will

nd this wolf who had saved her life whil

get in return?"

vel with hers. "More than that-you get to become what you

had followed Silver Ridge rules, trained to be the perfect Luna f

an alliance, not charity. I protect you; you

stroy?" Serena

hardened. "Wha

isted in disgust as he backed away from her Onyx

te them so muc

over Lucian's face.

he conversation. "Can you w

er broken arm. Lucian watched her struggle without offerin

ok a step forward, then anoth

al flickering in his eyes. "Y

gradually changed around them-the trees growing taller and closer together, the un

bled more often, her vision blurring with exhaustion

e," he said. "Beyond that

little difference in the l

ed his nose. "Every

ace and the way she cradled her broken

pt her into his arms again. This t

neat, cultivated forests of Silver Ridge, this was wild country-ancient

y?" Serena asked, tryi

Lucian's voice

she admitted. "Our

dge has forgotten what it means to be wolf.

self on civilization-their pack headquarters was pra

ve?" Serena asked, seein

oward a distant

the trees around them-shadows slipping between trunks,

n said, noticing her unease. "They

ept me?" Seren

Lucian replied, his tone

y. Occasionally, Serena caught glimpses of wolves-larger and wilder

the mountain. A narrow path wound up

explained as he carried her up the path. "We have

dotted the cliff face, connected by stone paths and wooden bridges. Campfires burned in fire pits, casting

ian stepped into the cleari

ns!" someone

curious and wary. Serena felt their stares li

ir stepped forward, her green eye

nded. "You left to hunt Silver R

Lucian warned, his voice

and on her back. She stood as straight as she could,

voice carrying easily across the clearing. "I bring

Some wolves stepped back, while o

ucian said qui

't know if I can shif

isted. "They

d everything. The shift came easier this time, washing over her in a wave of tingling energy. Bo

aws, her midnight-black fur gleaming in the f

re true," some

another voi

murs. "Not a curse," he declared. "A weapon. One th

iction in his voice. Did he truly believe that

d. "She will learn our ways. And when the time com

rward again. "And when she turns tha

ned slightly in Sere

tone sent a shiver through Serena. What if she couldn't control

st," Lucian ordered. "And sen

ow his commands, Lucian crouc

e wolf," he said softly. "Yo

irelight as he added, "And your

ne pair in particular. She turned her head slightly, catching a glimpse of a

oked exactly l