Alpha Damon.

nd razor-sharp teeth filled her mind. Damon's words echoed in her ears-latent werewolf, bloodline,

silence was heavy, broken only by the occasional creak of floorboards as someone passed in the hall.

ootsteps soft against the wooden floor. The lodge was quiet now, most of t

he counter with a mug in hand. His sharp gray eyes flicked

" he asked final

ead, crossing her

, taking a sip of his coffee. "

hough she wasn't sure she

moment before he set his mug down

herself to stand tall. "You keep sayin

evenly. "But you are a target. T

ossed. "Why me, though? Why would Magnus go to al

you personally to see your value. You're part of a rare bloodline, Elena. Your mother was one of the s

told me any of this. She made it seem like..." Elena'

pack, her family, her identity to make sure you'd have a chance at a

hen table, her fingers tightening around

ou into something... unstable. If that happens, you won't j

she squared her shoulders. "Then I g

gh it didn't reach his eyes. "You're bra

I'm terrified. But sitting around pan

have," Damon said. "You'll

teps echoed down the hall. Kane appeared in

oring Elena entirely.

meanor shifting instantly to on

ern border," Kane said. "Magnus's

on's face remained calm, though

ied. "They didn't cross the l

tight. "Double the p

ne asked, jerking hi

l in his tone, but Damon cut i

on said firmly. "She'

xpression skeptical. "She's not pac

is voice leaving no room for

line, but he gave a curt nod and

n in the room easing slightly. "

Damon said. "It

makes his job har

is mug and gestured toward the back door. "Co

alive with the sound of birds and the rustle of leaves, the dawn light filtering through th

ng?" she asked, t

," he said

m cut through the earth. The water sparkled in the sunlight, it

oft but serious. "You asked why Magnu

d, her th

erstand," he said. "To figu

"What are you

locking onto hers. "Listen to the

you mean," she said

gently. "It's in your b

ed her to close her eyes. She took a deep breath, let

ep within her, something stirred-a faint

open, meeting Dam

that?" she

s voice low, "is the b