neck again. Her chest felt warm - her scent might be cr

not dare fade for

ly, pushing her tray

murmured. No one

way and ducked into a small tile

aced both hands against

ath her coat - pulled

dr

burned as the herbs surged through her syst

ulse

elf in the cracked mirror. Her refl

o the dorm." She whispered hoarse

It was buzzing with wolves -

wrong breath away f

★

★

Elow

n sheet of paper, even as Mia lay in the cave lit by blue

e around her, whispering in a vol

. Or weeks. Time moved o

on

I'm supposed to be brave. But

the parchment hovering mid-air, ink

t belong to me. These familiar spirits... they obey. They he

ip. Blinked back th

Maybe you're out there in real danger and

iliars, Jahmi and Quenly, materialized briefly

ties to Elowyn. You must stay veiled. You

he hadn't known

aid gravely. "....they will use

ed the feather pen. It pu

. And I dream of you m

ghed s

, El. Your Loya

squeezed the floating letter then held it in he

gain to keep you alive,

her as her breathing slowed. Sleep tugged at

★

★

dreaded class

nd as usual, Elowyn was timidly queue

d circular platform surrounded by stone tiers and wooden beams

owd, her fingers trembling lightly a

sip

t o

on it - one broad-shouldered with a bronze neck cuff,

tall instructor said. His voice echoed, firm and precise. "

be

ral perfumes. They are th

firm comp

signal

ce, deceive, and so

gh the students. Some

len

le

pt her fa

dded. "....is the only la

er steppe

in scenting, step forward. Stand in the ci

as, a few betas, one or two with golden clan b

iors...." the broad-shouldered man said. "....and choose who their instinct

group. A few cadets puffed stoo

n instant r

good at scenting we

es. Just scent. Let your wolf d

tural scenters ste

eart nearl

ll at 5:00 AM was looking at her somehow and had joined them - his ey

som

nding at the ba

bound. But b

r to the left, arms fo

ooking at me, Elowyn beg

me had alr

osed their eyes, bowed their heads, an

re slow, predatory

o eager. But with purpose. He sniffed as he passed each row, pausi

lowed. She needed

it looked like his eyes narrowed - not in suspicion, but reco

newbie was d

. Bit the insid

a, suddenly froze in front of a tall Alpha a

d. "My wolf recogn

ed him on the back. The inst

ved forwa

just two

lenched

f me. Don'

it hap

an p

r in front

ir sh