The Alpha's Oath.

threw shifting shadows across the walls of the chamber. In those shadows, she kept seeing claws, eyes, and memories of

an eerie glow. The compound's courtyard below bustled with warriors preparing for a possible attack: armored wolves moved in squads, archers

her answer, and a woman stepped inside carrying a tray of food and linens. She

w, melodic voice. "Alpha Black

h bread. Her stomach twisted with hunger she hadn't realized she f

till adapting. Shifting for the fi

arming her from the inside. After several ravenous bites, she wiped h

yra blurted. "Why does the

ancestors once ruled these lands when all the packs were united under one Alpha King. The Evernight

owned.

g the Nightfall Wars, the Evernights were betrayed. Many were slaughtered, others vanish

ng the blood, the claws. "I killed

But you must learn control - and fast - or yo

e hall. The door swung open, revealing Draven Blackmoor himself, his dark cloak bil

bed," he said, voice low but ed

defensively. "I don't even kn

leaning down until his breath ghosted across her ear. "You will. An

should have been afraid of him - the Alpha everyone whispered about, the one who'd sworn neve

bell pealed acr

ormy blue to silver. "Stay here," he ordered. He strode to the d

with predatory speed. The

rated through the stones under her feet. She rushed to the window again. Beyond the walls, shadows moved i

on Fang wolves?"

pale. "They've come

wls, and the clash of steel against claws rose into the night. Torches flared

needed to do something - but what? She was untrained, unstable, and the

y of her mother's voice slipped into her thoughts: "Li

hing old, powerful. She reached for it. A warmth spread through her chest, then down her arms,

through the window shimmered, curling like mi

n whispered, awe-struck. "No Ever

the front lines, a massive black wolf at his side. Even in the chaos, his movemen

ad to

t slapped stone as she emerged into the courtyard. The scent of blood and burning pitch filled her

nus Bloodfang, a towering beast of a man with pale hair and eyes like twin

oss the battlefield. "Step aside and give me the girl.

is fangs. "Ove

arranged," Ma

earth. Claws met claws, fangs snapped inches from each other's th

, pulsing in rhythm with her heartbeat. She focused on Magn

alone!" s

air and striking Magnus square in the chest. He was hurled back like a ragdoll, smashing i

ed, bleeding but alive. His gaze locked on

power drained from her in a rush, lea

t, fury etched across his twisted face. But the Blackmoor warrior

mise. "This isn't over, Evernight. You'll di

o a monstrous white wolf and retreated into the m

tled over the battlefield. The Blackmoor wolves ho

knees before her, gripping her shoulders. "You could have been killed," he ra

ed, voice hoarse. Tears slipped down

agged. "Don't ever risk yourself like tha

nd the fading blood moon overhead. Her pulse thudded wildly a

epped into the courtyard, dark robes swirling, his eyes

ently to her feet. "Later," he said quietly,

n still fading from her hands. His voice was grave. "The Ev

ack as he led her inside. Around them, warriors carried their woun