ches. Adanna slowed when she saw the settlement-wooden lodges tucked close, smoke cur

he had never seen a pack

eone whispered,

d, "She doesn't

ze, wishing the groun

der muttered wi

his back. "Don't t

looking l

her cheek, but she l

runes. The door opened, and a man stepped out-broad, dark-haired, s

oke first.

m Leander to Adanna. "You retu

led. "I'm no

ted slightly. "Th

hen closed it again. Sh

beside Theron. Auburn braid, soft smile, steady eyes.

away. "Maybe she

et her breathe." Then, to Adanna, "I'm Imogen

"I-thank you." Her voi

arms. "Why is sh

, flat. "She needs Cresc

eron's gaze cu

kicked. "I di

d. His eyes flicked to hers for ju

pped in. "

ed her throa

retty. Where are

d. "Scarlet Moo

couple of wolves had gathered

t Moon

ing her

ut through the n

m went

Moon rejects don't just wander int

out. "My Alpha rejected me. My wolf is... go

softened, but Ther

n't our burden," someone

born there. I didn't ask for any of this."

oke again, firm, f

owed. "You don't d

erves a chance,"

hed between them, shar

herself between the two men. "Enough. T

n turned back toward the longhouse. "Fine. Bu

in the air, t

ything she deserved. "Come inside. Warm yourself

t she followed them int

************

rbs. Wolves lined the benches, their

silence. "Council's her

ed forward, sharp eyes narro

dropped. "I was

sh off that easy,

here with nothing. That should be enoug

ossed. "Proof? Or bait? Maybe she's h

've got no wolf, no pack, no family. What exactly do yo

pled through

your Alpha cast you out, why come here? Why

Because I heard you do

from the far bench. "D

, her voice calm. "Te

jected me in front of everyone. Called me nothing. My wolf... she broke." Her

ent, no o

k whispered, "That's why

"She's dangerous

ed. "I didn't

f without a wolf. That's a wea

low. "Weakness can be turned i

d. "And you're volunt

idn't bli

again-some shock

rial by gossip. We give her a place for now.

n Theron growled, "One

t Adanna. "Do y

h her throat burned.

at her, steady, unrea