ea

piercing whine as I lay presse

rner of my lip, dripping onto th

p forward, raising his heavy comba

linch or sc

ling my frail, shivering frame into a

damp hair, letting the blood on my c

, trembling, but loud enough to carry across the silent hall. "Are you punishing me fo

ck like an inv

listair's hand tightened on the

s frown settled o

ed forward from the council line, hi

re in the presence of the High Throne, not your private ke

his boot hover

he hastily withdrew his foot, fa

rage at this wolfless wretch. She has no inner wolf

essie saw her

off her blanket, dropped to her knees, and pulled a

above her head with both hands. "Kalea is not innocent! She is a t

asp echoed acr

enouncing your pack to live as an outlaw Rogue

nt forward. "It is a detailed map marking the northern border checkpoints and

is steps, took the parchment,

g up beside Jaheim and dropping to one k

patience, but her bitterness over being wolfless has poisoned her mind. I

d immediately!" Jaheim added eagerly, trying

ving eyes bore down on

up from the bloo

chin high as I reached into my collar and pul

wrapped in delicate silver filigree-the

in my open palm and bow

ood on my pale cheeks, painting a

ed rafters. "I drew that map. Every single line and marker

lit up with

? She confesse

, letting the raw emotion swell within the chamber-"

murmured

grief. "I was born wolfless. I have lived my entire life bearing the scorn of my pack. I risked my life studying those treacherous northe

er's moonstone h

rave and the sacred light of the Moon Goddess, if there is a single ou

ence blanket

rchs pressed hands to the

t, I was no

arch into the frozen wilderness just to make

tening as he inspected the detailed botanic

ce went ent

lying! She is mani

cloak, the corners of my mouth c