k's

er resisted the idea that I might be safe, which left me

tered because I wanted to learn who had ruined her childhood

been watching the Moonshine pack under my orders, and I

search had re

many secrets had they buried? Moonshine's land lay less than eighty kilometers from ours, yet I hadn't known the

eturn. Tonight was the pack run

even once. No happiness had ever appeared in the changes of her odd scent. So

her stomach. At once, her eyes shifted away an

directly once she lowered th

an muttered while moving restlessly

r cheek between her teeth as

ared you," s

eyebrows

erritories. Several Alphas have died by your hand. People ask for your support, but

egan to rise. Arovan shared my pride. Nei

Nerya enough credit

. "I understand how the world sees me. My questi

iately fell to

I could have looked into

o hurt you," I replied once her

or that of his pack. I would never strike a woman

t anyone else

en from sight meant that others

ved from si

as on

had focused entirely on her. Despite the Alpha blood in her ve

never have a reason to fear me.

over her hands and covered a lit

conversation began with one of my questions and usually finished with a n

hallenge int

," I insisted while leadin

Her blue gaze moved toward the large clock hanging on the w

o treat her stomach with the cream again. Her breath stopped just as it had earlier, although

ell," I

ediately, and her heart pounded hard inside her chest. Part of me expected her

ft her once my footsteps carr

ving?" she as

d the pack run. I'll return in a few hours,

" she asked as her ey

ack goes hunt

my explanation, he

nshine hold

new observed t

tly shook

r worry, I gave h

y to rest. Once your wolf is fr

in the same spot with her eyes following me,

dy gathered downstairs by

he new girl?" Jarek asked while

responded. "I also learned that

aled remained stu

owed that tradition. The full moon strengthens all w

ws pulled

al happen while you

everal members left for work, others practice

g look cross

think they're k

lied about Nerya k

e arranged it?"

ugh to plan something that

ontract without readin

slowly appear

we visit th

ing them firs

e when they haven't had

ous visit had already m

me for tomorrow's departure with Eryon and Jare

f me had believed she might flee while I was gone and use the opportunity to vanish. Yet she remained there,

n moved. Somehow, she seemed capable of sleeping anywhere at any hou

drew her small body against mine. A few quiet, confused noises left her as

und me awa

point overnight, she had turned toward me. Soft daylig

ered her lungs, and she quickly sat

re w

ouse, Nerya. Don't you

g to my bare chest and continuing towar

eeping naked?"

s. For once, she appeared less d

crossed

way, especially whe

ure her clothes remained in place. Relief escaped her in a

her," Arovan murmured. "She could

swered. "You can't tre

into my mind. I had gained more control over him thro

all en-suite bathroom. Her low voice reached me through the close

ed out through the door, "I ne

before coming out. Wariness filled her stare

d to take care of somethin

table, I gestured for he

akily while slowly liftin

s of the pack will still be arou

stayed above her stomach

Arovan growled. "Stan

my hand to

to prove himself. He wanted to make her ours and