like armor. Wolves stretched and sparred around the yard, their laughter carrying on the cold

ing that smelled vaguely like mint leaves. She

shit," Imogen s

ks. That's exactly th

y. Did you sl

ery time I shut my eyes, I heard that guy

Theron calls everyone weak. He called me a

ed an eyebr

s beard looked lik

help the laugh t

t let his words stick. You're h

oesn't mean I'll stay. You heard th

wer, a mocking voice ca

, ro

both smirking. The taller one was wiry, his arms covered in tatt

uth. "You learn the rules yet? Number one:

under her breath

e raced, but her voice came o

? No fangs? That's like being a car withou

"Better no wheels than

oked back

a threatening step forward. "Careful, ro

ned, but she forced he

to me," a calm, c

rd sti

e grey morning, his storm-grey eyes fixed on the two youn

he said

f bristled. "W

voice was quiet, but i

lunk off, muttering cur

er shoulders sagging. "Yo

ou're Crescent Moon now. I don't l

thought you weren

kered in his eyes-pain, mayb

ere tomorr

blinked

inin

ter. "You want to train me?

ken." His tone was even,

ing loud enough for Leander

look, but Imogen o

alked off, leaving n

onto the bench. "What the h

're screwed. But at leas

pty except for Leander. He stood in the ce

e dirt. "I thought dawn meant...

e," he said flatly

hat? Getting

a smile. "That depends

r someone who barely talks, y

a wooden staff. She fumbled to catch i

y?" she m

he said. "Feet apar

imic his stance,

tap to her elbow, a nudge to her foot. Every

he said. "

slipped from her sweaty palm

the fence where she'd perch

d. "You're n

pick up the staff. He

off the ground. "Fine. Bu

en sharper. Soon her arms ached, sweat dr

ly raised a h

staff, panting. "

warm-up,

You've got to

Don't worry, rogue. By next wee

middle finger before co

eyes unreadable. "You last

. "Was that...

to it," he sai

pering, "Translation: he

r hands, groaning. "I'm goin

muscles sore, arms aching. But despite the

weeks, she didn't fe

ooked at her-not with pity, not with disgust-b

ether to be gratef

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

he training yard. Every muscle screame

ike he'd been born out of stone and dis

late," h

na shot back, wincing as

can cost you

could mean coffee

"Do you want cof

htened. "Both

ere she sat again. "Gods, you two are

a and Leander sn

d. "See? Marr

d Adanna a smaller staff. "To

e test, like... sitting?

o.

artedly. "Fine. But if I pas

with something unreadabl

lun

ff in time. The force rattled through

balance,"

e stumbled back,

staffs cracked together

You're fighting the sta

e me for not bein

uth, mor

re really bad at pep

arder. Each strike forced her ba

e said coldly

She looked left, right-no

shed. "What's

don't

barely. "Stop thinking about what

htened. With a sharp yell, she twisted, ducking under

rike l

down, then back up. For a breathless second

open. "Did I-did I

em both. "Hell yes, rogue! I think yo

off his shirt. His face was unreadab

Wait-was that ano

her, turn

ed. "Oh, he'

rper than usual, and he stalk

f, panting, still stunned

ep. You've officially survived round tw

aky laugh, part pri

flicker of something that wasn't anger or despa

safehouse, the cool air easing her sore arms. Imogen plo

a mouthful, "I've never seen Le

owned. "L

urden. Like you're..

mfortably. "He does

Trust me. That man has the emotional range o

slowly. "Respect doesn't change th

r maybe your wolf's just waiting for th

. "Waiting twenty years?

oulder. "Patience us

ark trees, heart heavy b

ing. Bruises. Banter. Leander's relentless or

, something be

efore she hit the ground. His hands were s

ot with annoyance, but with something

r her breath, she thought sh

. She sat on the bench, sweat dripping, chest heaving.

mproving,

h. "There it is. The leg

ow. "Don't pus

rite this down! Historic day-Leander admi

ed until her

me, laughter did

the shadows around h

dmit it aloud, she reali

arting to