l's

eek of

ta stands with arms crossed, his dark eyes scanning the healing marks on my chest,

or the stairs. I need a shower, clean clothes, and abou

's voice stops me co

ncient oak table, flanked by the other elders, Marcus, Helena, and old Samuel who's been questioning my lead

apped in shadows and

her silver hair gleaming in the candlelight and her pale eyes fixed on me

Thorne

"If you have someth

drips disgust. "Damon says y

eding in an alley. She

ature in the room seems to drop. "Because yo

es too much, knows too much. She was ancient when my grandfather was

a question. Elara's pale eyes

chair. "What bond? Kael,

ra will smell the dece

nection," I admit.

dead leaves. "The first woman in over a century who can

amuel stops his perpetual grumbli

the magic on you, the way her life force mingled with your

oming home after a lifetime of wandering. But I can't

ng imp

a blade. "You felt the prophecy awak

the table. "Enough riddle

ed the Arden line for three centuries can only be broken by a human woman. Not just any human... one de

.. is that woman?" Damon's voi

"The curse itself has chosen. The bond

ck as my wounds closed under her touch. The way she didn'

ares. "We cannot allow a human

upts. "How many more Alphas will die unfulfilled? How many mor

curse consumed her from the inside. Maria, who lasted only days before the madness took her. And Jessica... sweet Jessica who

an intended. "I won't put another innoc

is different..

't care what the prophecy says. I wo

n can truly break the curse, think what

she can't? If she dies like all the others?

at follows is

kened. Ignoring it won't make it disappear. The curse will call to

ke sure she c

tiny is not so easily denied, Alpha. The prophecy has waited three ce

answer. Because deep d

er eyes as she tended my wounds. The courage she showed, kneeling in that alley desp

promised. Everything I've been

ctly why I hav

they could love a cursed Alpha and live to tell about it. I won't add Cla

who love her. People who won't understand if she disa

told me about her fiancé's betrayal. She's already been hurt

r with each hour that passes. My wolf wants to go to her, to claim w

ned that some prices

ll keep Clara safe. From the pack,

om

elief. Instead, it feels li

pha. The pack's safety comes fir

who makes me believe