- his hand pressed against his chest where the bond ached like a wo

spise

spise

not stop himself

ash

ng light across the packed dirt, illuminating warriors locked in combat. Damian moved amo

from their brows, squared off once more their blades clashed, the rhythm raw, desperate.

the

ld and merciless. He stepped between them, and with a blur of movement, disarmed them b

ut from the sudden memory that struck him. He had seen hesitation before. Not in himself. In her, the lady he dispised Luna The flashback came unbidden, vivid as fire. The night her pack's lands had burned, Damian had led the Silverfang charge. He

stared him down, trembling but defiant, h

ever forg

tore at him, years later. A growl ripped from his chest. He turned on the nearest warrior, blade flashing in a storm of strikes. The man barely blocked in time, sweat pouring as Damian pressed him harder and harder, each blow fueled not by d