deeper int

nd her. The forest grew darker. The

inside her. "We s

er steps were stea

ery throb reminded her of Kael.

stop. She wo

but her spirit

id not

floorboards groaned. The f

. It was not faint now.

owled. "She

His chest tigh

the

h caught. Hi

f snapp

s guards called after him, but he ig

into th

fallen log. She sa

from her bag. S

her. The sounds of owls

restless. "We are

. Her hand tightened o

ned the dark.

he fe

ed again. Har

eath s

pered lo

trees blurred. His

him. Wild, warm,

d inside him.

f the bond burned hot. He could

shed

by the log. Her knife drawn.

est cl

ed to him. The

ond r

tightened

arp. "Why are yo

oice was low. "You left. I

ou rejected me. I am not

His eyes burned. "Y

The bond flared,

he raised the knife

. His wolf push

l not beg for your love.

ed. He stopped

want you to beg. I want you t

se fast. Her

I was weak,"

lenched.

urned bet

e knife, slow.

spered. "He

trembled.

Because I was afraid. Afraid of losing you.

he bond surged betwee

d, "You brok

linc

is hand brushed her arm

Her wolf press

pull away. But her

d down he

rough. "Let

cracked. "

ed hard. The

ither pul

on san

t. Kael sat across from her.

n her hands. She

her. His

You will not stop fo

was stea

ged. Her eyes fli

Because you are min

d at the words. H

. "You already

He leaned forward. "I said wo

ed on the bread.

red. "They

The words

ed. His wolf

"Then let me b

he fire. Her li

sed strong b

d. They did

re bur

his. Her voice was qui

throat tight.

irred. Her

shook. "

s the fire. His

ned. The bond

ught. She did

d. Her wolf pres

nd whisper

me, fight for me. Do not humiliate

ers. His voice held

est fl

red. "Then

lsed, alive

r look

e as daw

er hair fell loose around her

d word to your fathe

ened. "Do not

He respecte

was light, but her

e move. If you follow,

stirred.

together in

th every step. Stron

knew. This was not the en