A

ls along the mountain road. The wind still carries the scent of wolves on patrol-earthy musk mixed with pine and something w

his place with my tail between my legs and Vincent Lopez's cruel laughter echoing in my ears. I'd built a good life i

agging you back to the p

her cost more than I make in two years, and our insurance barely covers the basics. I've applied to every job within a hundr

my mother's life is owned by the pack-and run by the

lves learn to fight spreads out to my left, empty in the late afternoon light. In the distance, I can see the

o human form as they watch my car pass. I recognize one of them-Derek, a mid-ranking wolf who use

mouth, and my hands

ngs neve

he Dawson family home sits at the end of a dead-end road, a small ranch-style house with faded blue sidi

et despite the mild September weather. She's lost weight since my last visit, her cheekb

come back," she sa

lean down to kiss her forehead. She smells li

gh. "The treatments aren't working, Kaia. Dr. Ki

into the wicker chair beside he

tighter. "Not like this. Not

since I found the courage to tell her what he

He probably won't eve

se dark eyes seeing too much. "

f to her feet, the blanket falling to the

ort. The living room looks the same as it did when I was seventeen-faded floral couch, family

her voice carrying over the sound of running water. "About our f

nches. "What k

kettle clinks against the stove. "Just...

e. Whatever secrets she's carrying, they'll have to wait. Right now

osing building. The modern architecture clashes with the wild mountain backdrop-all clean lines and refl

om twisted metal that looks like abstract antlers. The receptionist-a blonde woman in her thirtie

oud that my voice doesn't sha

"Of course. Ms. Lopez is expec

to be my closest friend before everything went to hell. The last time we spoke was the night of the bonfire, when she tried to comfort

I left for college. No goodbye

ut to beg h

er-ranking ones based on the confidence in their movements. Coffee from the break room. Cleaning supplies. And underneat

ent probably isn't even here. The company is huge, with dozens of em

On convincing Talia to hire me despite

oice cuts through my anxious thoug

most professional outfit I own. As I walk toward the frosted glass door marked

recognition flar

pulse hammering. That scent... why does

le. Whatever games my imagination is playing, I can't aff