lle

at the base of the

thered rock-clearly the exact route my

ots crunched against stone. Ma

patrol. The r

wall, ignoring the sting of scraped knuckles, and flatt

r-armored knights ha

he middle we

t of Adell, slingshot pulled taut, dark eyes g

utching her sister's tunic. Her little

e high but bristling with authorit

rcle p

draped in a heavy black fur man

ating weight of his Alpha presence

ng the two mud-caked children blocking his p

aimed the leather pouch de

art s

at the most ruthless w

e simply stared, a flicker of genuine b

l thread was tugging him tow

and outstretched. "Where did these rogue runts co

n

te let

against the guard's knuckles. H

aw. His gaze remained locked on Juliette's fierce li

ling swiftness,

isted both girls clean off the gro

want my Mommy!" Adell wai

er lips, the faint intrigue on Die

that sterilizing draught five years ago. There was n

Tower?" Diego demanded coldly. "Some filthy rogue mus

one!" Juliette spat

r tiny white teeth, and sank th

is wrist split open, a bead of c

didn't

ark chuckle rumbl

his thumb, a dangerous glint of amusement dancing in

dug so deep into the bark

ey were dragged into the dungeons, they'd be interrog

round three silver-tipped needles laced with potent

o sudden

hered oak, predator senses catc

ly still, pressing flat against the

ty?" the captain asked, hand

at the swaying branche

rowl. "Carry them straight into the Abandoned Tower.

e cobbles, looking faintly ridiculous as he

oded my

e keep. He was bringing the

d face. I could not let him learn

ld, I gathered my skirts and sprinted through the overg

door shut behind me, panting harshly, the rusted o