I couldn't remember falling asleep, but I must have dozed off, the sensation of Evan's warm chest against mine filling my senses and removing all the rest of my awareness. But I did dream, somewhat. On the boundary of wakefulness and sleep, Cassiel appeared, my beautiful white wolf."You look so happy today," I teased as she came to lick at my cheek. Her tail hung low but waved from side to side, betraying her joy with grace. "And you're all better now. You've thrown off the last of the slump."It affects us more than it does others, she reminded me as she sat on the grass. A breeze drifted by, rustling her fur and my hair. We should be careful. Who knows what will happen if we breathe in that poison again?"Everyone needs to be careful, not just us. But you're right. The doctor not only at that safe house but the ones here cleared us, but we weren't feeling like ourselves for days after. Evan and the Deltas who were at the manor all said they

That was impossible. Evan would never stoop to mating with a half-breed nothing, one that even used to be a filthy slave for another pack. Flicka had asked her father to look into Claudia's past.She knew basically everything there was to know about the weakling bitch, though that wasn't saying much considering she was lower than trash. Illegitimate daughter of an Alpha of a weak pack -- the disgraced Dark Moon pack no less, most of whom had been slaughtered all on the same day weeks ago -- and of a human slave. Honestly, Flicka didn't despite humans so much as she was disgusted by those who dared to try to mingle with superior werewolves.Where did they get the nerve? Humans weren't Flicka's concern until they tried to squeeze into upper society where they didn't belong, and Claudia was the worst of them all. Seducing Evan? Trying to become his Luna? Where did the stupid fucking slut get that idea? Did she think all a Luna had to do was lie on her back and spread her

If there was one good thing to come out of the confrontation with Flicka in the greenhouse, it was what happened the next morning. But I would have no idea until a few hours after I woke up and returned to the greenhouse.I stopped by the Joseph family's new lodgings first, a two-bedroom suite in the Lambeth Apartments, the more upscale residence right next to the first-year dorms. It was soundly within the secure territory around campus, so I could go alone to greet Ken and welcome him at last to the new base.Yesterday had been far too hectic for all of us, with my help being needed in the sick bay because of an influx of wounded werewolves coming in from skirmishes, and Ken because there was considerable difficulty relocating his family's sub-pack into their rooms appropriately. But now I could say hello and catch up after far too long without contact. His temporary room was sparsely furnished with only a student's captain-sized bed, a desk and chair, and a small ta

Evan left me in the room with two Deltas guarding me. No matter how I insisted that he take me with him, he refused. Why! I could settle this in one go. If I got close enough to any of the Glilies and the Josephs, I would be able to get to the bottom of this. The truth was in their heads, and while I hated to use my power deliberately against anyone, if invading their privacy meant being able to keep others safe, I was more than willing."Let me help!" I shouted, but it was no use. The door slammed shut behind Evan, and I was left alone in the room, at least for the time being. He had promised he would come get me and let me help once he determined things were safe, but even this report just now couldn't be trusted, he had said. If someone really had betrayed the pack and evidence had come to the surface at last, there was no telling who else might be involved. Until he personally settled things and restrained everyone involved in the situation, I was to remain locked in the

EARLIER:Evan no longer had Peelle at his side. He had only the counsel of werewolves whose first concern was excitedly throwing themselves into the drama, not saving Claudia. They didn't understand. This threat delivered over their radio frequency to not attack, that if they did, the enemy would slit Claudia's throat. Evan would listen to their demands, or he would lose his woman.The others didn't understand. They had all shaken their heads and nearly laughed, as if it was some kind of joke. As if they couldn't believe the audacity of someone to try to threaten their fearsome Alpha Evan with the life of some... some no-account half-breed woman, a former slave no less.Someone had even dared to say that aloud. In the next second, he had gone flying across the room and smashed into the wall before sliding to the floor, stunned. In no uncertain terms did Evan make his message clear: Claudia was no mere plaything, nor was she a failed bait.The demand from