BETRAYAL'S BOND

Aveline stood at the center of a clearing, surrounded by the shadows of

n the morning air. Aveline moved like a seasoned warrior; her strikes were precise, and her movements were fluid. The weight

her's skill and strength. But Aveline's mind, usually razor-sharp in battle, was distracted. It wasn't the warrior in front

br

y waking moment. His death had been sudden, and violent, leaving no time for goodbyes. The thought

, trying to clear the old memory and focus on the present. But it was impossible. She gets reminded every

ent said, voice filled with

y aimed at his chest

used. She quickly struck her opponent's side, knocking him of

is side. "But you can't keep pushing yoursel

losure. It was peace. And if fighting until she couldn't move an

ng into the fire. The flame's shadow seems to taunt her with memories of Gabriel. She could almost he

was all g

sightings near the border, and rumors of scouts from the rival pack. She felt a tension in her chest. The rival pack had been a constant threat ever

fellow pack members moved, whispering amongst themselves and the ever-present unease. It wasn't just the rival pack that had

thought immediately. He stood behind her, his tall figure over-sh

n their pack, a man who had seen more wars, and more battles than Aveline could reme

e said, with a soft

or, Aveline, and I expect you to act like one. If you cannot put asi

ck is not the only threat we face. Things are happening in the shadows, things you are not

uggesting that Gabriel's death wasn't important? Was there something mor

an unreadable expression. "Good. Stay focused,

horne hiding? Why was he so adamant that she forget Gabriel, forget her

closest friend, Alina, caught up with her. Al

pered urgently. "Yo

line asked, her s

them. "There's going to be a diplomatic gathering. The Alpha has called for o

of this. A diplomatic gathering? That didn't sound lik

e demanded, wi

e. I don't know what, but the Alpha is hiding something about it. I overheard h

ing. What were they planning? And why had her father, why had

led with various thoughts. she felt Everything was changing,

matic gathering. Her father's secrecy. The rival pack's scouts. Gabriel. The