AvaThe entire tavern was silent once again, but not in a good way this time. The strange man’s question had echoed through the space, his deep voice reverberating off the walls in a menacing way.Before I could even fully comprehend what was happening, Chris straightened his shoulders and announced
“And what would that truth be?” I bit back.“That you convinced your dear Alpha to step down from his position through whatever twisted manipulation or trickery you’ve employed. And why? So you can clear a path for yourself, of course.” The Beta sneered openly at me. “A little past her prime, perhap
AvaI followed Chris’s long strides as he made his way toward the secluded thicket, my heart pounding in my chest. Despite his reassurances, a sick sense of dread was coiling in the pit of my stomach—and for good reason.“You shouldn’t have come,” he said without even glancing back at me. “I told yo
A snarl ripped free from Chris’s chest at that, guttural and feral. For the first time, I saw a flicker of his wolf in those green eyes—bright and savage in the moonlight.“We’ll see about that,” he growled out.And with that, the fight began.It started slowly at first, the two of them circling one
AvaI managed to get up on shaky legs, blinking hard to try and clear the dizzying swirl of stars clouding my vision. My entire body throbbed, and I could feel the sticky warmth of blood matting my hair to the side of my face.But none of that mattered. All I could focus on was the crumpled form lyi
“No—No—Chris!” I begged, shaking him.But then, something happened; movement in the corner of my eye. I whipped my head around, opening my mouth to scream out for help, only to feel the words die on my lips.A soft, ethereal glow pierced through the shadows at the edge of the treeline, filtering tow
ChrisThe medic tended to my wounds—or at least, whatever minor wounds were left—as the orange light of the fire flickered in the fireplace. Here, finally having returned to the Packhouse, I felt like I could breathe.The Elders, watching from the sidelines, shifted uncomfortably where they stood.“
Before she could reach her chair, I looped my arms around her hips and pulled her onto my own lap. Her cheeks flushed hotly, but she didn’t resist.“I thought you’d be happy,” I teased. “That little miracle may just be the thing that will cause your precious prophecy to be fulfilled. And more import