The memory wolf

a's

s breathed diffe

w, at eighteen, it's impossible to ignore. Before Mom disappeared, she al

touched and worst of all, the wolves in training spar pul

ot to see i

d not to

g leads to one t

ck, questions

en, dragging silver light across the earth, and the path toward the gath

More silence when the others realize I've shown up. More whis

my cloak lower an

ing two days ago. "Mandatory," he'd

en

ty feet away from the training grounds. The girl who failed her

rves and just the idea of standing in front of the pack again. Just the memory of last year'

t before I s

r in th

pulse i

I don't

y formed a wide circle around the bonfire. Warriors in their ceremonial lea

ng falls

head

force myself to keep walking, pretending the silence doesn't burn, pr

pins me harder

la

broad-shouldered, and perfectly still. His dark, depthless, unread

st tig

lways look at

rous or unpredictable th

n, Mira, stands a few paces away among the healers. She gives me a short nod, her exp

lpha Rowan steps forward, his vo

has been

die sometimes during rogue attacks or border skirmishes,

ge," Rowan continues, jaw tight. "Tor

n a

ack. A rogue leaves traces of footprints, blood, a scent,

ds gro

ing on certain faces as if

says. "It wasn't a hunt

alls like

e snaps str

art s

ooking at m

tight my throat feels, how fast

long, long enough to make the wol

airs. No one shifts and no one leaves the grounds until we det

n many faces. Murmurs erupt of o

ow w

of blood

don't belong

her voice low. "Stay near the h

going to,"

hat it steals my breath. A cold ripple washes down

forest. It's watchin

the trees, but all

nd finds my arm.

od. "Fine.

t cold, I'

the inside ou

ross the clearing. Wolves part for him like shad

voice is quiet but

en, confus

u didn't feel anythin

" My brows furrow.

ge or unusual.

f

s he mea

rstand," I ma

peeling away each layer of

something happens," he s

s through me.

ps closer.

At least n

ath st

er shoulders visibly ten

r, his gaze l

omething fast and stronger than most of

el s

magically sense

g in slightly, "you feel t

roars i

impos

ot sp

ours have been flying aro

"Tell me the truth,

ough the night cu

gh, piercing

erked toward

am followed v

a t

froze at

, shifting mid-air, bones cr

e pack erupted into chaos,

nd me," he

touches my skin, somet

ike lightning tra

buckle. My ears ring wit

yes widen

ked o

ne and blood and fear, something w

nal

rembles bene

ind h

ches around