in white clouds as she hurried along the narrow path, clutching the pouch of moonleaf to her chest.

nning, hiding, and pretending she could forget. But now he had seen her;Damien Nightbane

ace from her thoughts. She could not affo

the pines. Smoke curled from the chimney, and a faint golden light shone

herbs, firewood, and the faint sweetness of warm milk. A little girl sat curled in a chair by the

ispered, her voic

g and cupping her tiny face. "I'm

r mother's touch. "I couldn't

ing. The healer had said it was only a passing moon sickness, common among young wolves. But Lyra knew better. She felt

asked, her eyes dropping

pulling out the fresh moonleaf. "Thi

rp, earthy scent filled the room as the water darkened. Isla wa

there?" the little gi

o her daughter. "A littl

nyone s

asking things that cut too close. Slowly, Lyra turned

pped the tea when her mother handed it to her,

ssed her forehead. "Good gir

lids growing heavy. "Mommy... do y

m Isla's face. "No, my love. Dreams can't hurt yo

d like a blade. The moon did n

ow, staring out at the silver light washing over the snow.

again. The night she fled, she thought she was doing the right thing

hat protection felt

calling her name. There had been anger in his eyes, yes...

ore he discov

ugh her thoughts,a branc

stepped to the door, listening. The forest

rack. The moonlight poured in

rom the cabin, were fr

f tr

Heavy.

olted it, pressing her back against the wood. "Not

ith his Beta at his side. The forest smelled of

Beta said, crouching to examine

is dark eyes scanning the distance w

his voice low. "I want eyes on her. Day and

odded. "You

ghtened. "I care

tirred restlessly inside him. Four years of silence,

mured under his breath.