BETRAYAL'S BOND

lovely flowers filled the air. Aveline walked alone in the bush, her mind far

lots of memories for Gabriel and her due to the many hours they spend toget

ss, of the man who had once promised her everything. The grass beneath her feet was still worn from their last visit, b

favorite place to sit. She closed her eyes and let the memories flow in her mind. She coul

s hand resting gently on hers. "But it won't just be about strength. We'll build it on love,

ut now, those words felt cruel because they reminded her of what she lost. She had been so certain

d log on the floor. It was one of Gabriel's favorite things, a simple stone he had fo

al, and unexpected. She had been left in the ruins, surrounded by the bodies of their fallen warriors, while Gabriel had been reported de

stion his absence; she didn't doubt that he was gone. But now, with the strange feeling creeping up in her chest, somet

lower interrupted her. She looked up startled with her senses immediately alert. A fi

s face filled with disbelief. "What are you d

g to hide the unease that was on her face. "I needed some air,"

ace. "You're not supposed to be this far from the pack, Aveline. It's dangerous, especially with all the rumors flying

sn't right. "What rumors?" she asked, he

ha earlier today. He mentioned something about the rival pack being a greater threat than we thought. T

ted. Her mind went to how the warrior spoke, the way he avoided her eyes, which made her feel uneasy. Thorne had always been o

?" Aveline asked, her voice low and steady

was meeting with the rival pack tomorrow... for a council m

et with their enemies so openly, especially not after everything that had ha

veline there's something else. Elder Thorne said we need

h their enemies. The rival pack. She had to be there. She had to know what was happening. The

tly, turning away from the

d possibilities. What was Thorne really up to? And why was the Alpha so determined to meet

een the Alpha and Elder Thorne. "It's time," Thorne said, his voice cold. "Tomorrow, we move. There's no turning back