a P

ble speck of dirt from my skir

he stone steps leading to

n air, feeling the ancient strength

kirts in my hands and set my foot upon t

rate, the leather soles of my boots pressing fi

the Moon Crown of the Mendoza Pack. It was forged of pure, heavy silver, emb

d up from the mud, his boots slipping on the slick gr

here! What do you t

darted forward. She drew her short steel blade with a clean met

yes blazing with fierce loyalty. "You do

ith impotent fury. He dared not test her steel

ruin upon your own head! You a

p of the platform

I looked down at him, my eyes fill

ghborn wolves, my voice ringing out

lm who has brought disgrace u

n at Ferne shivering in the mud, and then at Br

owardly lord who conceals a pregnant mistress while atte

he nobility. Several elder wolves shook their heads in profo

the stairs, clasping her hands t

the centuries-old alliance between our packs! Do

ng laugh that sliced thr

ther's lands dry and plot the theft of my inheritance. That

walking the remaining ste

ds and lifted the heavy Moo

light, sending dazzling beams of white illumi

rs slumped in sudden relief, and an arrogant,

at, trying to regain the haug

ndescending generosity. "Wear the crown, and you remain the

blood welled up, her eyes burning with raw, suffocating jealo

e of the polished metal against my palms. It was a heavy, beaut

xpectant face, my lips parting i

rown high above my

f the entire assembly, I di

gth in my arms and hurled the heavy silv

comet, striking Bryce squarely in the cent

knocked the breath from his lungs, sending him

sludge before coming to a halt right at Ferne's knees,

rified silence. The only sound was the ge

emale desecrate a pack crown in the

y chin raised like a sovereign

f an executioner's blade. "A crown forged in treason and

yes rolling back into her head as she collapsed i

his bruised ribs, wheezing as he

y bitch... you c

his pathet

s, and reached deep into the core of my spirit,

s ceased their rustling, and the very air grew heavy with an ancient, terrifying

ith the ancient light of the original bloodline