The Dual Claim

a shoulder into it, an

n's soft glow. Thankfully, the music didn't reac

breathed in a huge g

water as the droplets hit the pool at its base. Ar

ie

lf. Re

s pricked, tail high, ready to r

lurched w

ching the fountain's edge until my knu

voice rang fierce with ce

tain's shimmer. "But his

here's nothi

ng, before she curled small again. Tears c

my hands were shaking. I fla

o the night, voices raised in laughter. I turned my he

ight and quick, keeping pace. Murmurs drifted between the

ance my way as they passed into the nigh

ded, I pushed myself

he corner of my chest, and

ches out front were worn smooth by years of bodies seeking r

side me ope

from my cheeks with the heel of m

you-do you

her sleeve. She held a cup as if to offer it, then hesitated and hugged it closer to her ap

. The words came o

no

ged, trying to ackn

my bodice, then politely away. I mus

aid rubbing her arm with her free hand, and l

til my leg

into the hallway that led to the stairs. It smelle

ys left one lit when anyone was out late. A basket of mending sat

es. A chair creaked. I stepped carefully, av

. Her eyes were swollen at the corners. Her lips pursed. The bodice was

d of the hall, as if she had been there the whole time

," I

se. She just opened her arms, the way sh

e I could. Bec

the top cupboard for special baking. I didn't cry again. I had us

'll sleep. In the morning you won't go to work; I'll tell Gamma Rellan you've a fever. In tw

ight have been a laugh if

time," I

were a lost little pup. The little stove glowed low. A bowl an

e nothing, but

s, my eyes got heavy. Maybe sleep would be kind to

it took for a bond to go away. My wolf lay there too, bruised and beaten down, silent. I d

l and the eave and tried to picture the ballroom now, with the lights and

one more second and then calmed, and

ories haunte

Pack, heir to the Alpha's line, re

er fol

ran, then

and