The Alpha's Oath.

her room. Moonlight slanted across the stone floor, revealing only empty shadows. But the sce

een Seraphine standing there, eyes glowing like emerald fire?

n, revealing Draven, hair tousled, eyes wild. H

e demanded, voice

saw her. She was standing right there-" She

ted silver in the moonlight, nose flaring as he tasted the air. His hand

urned. "She's in

es burning with fu

es, dogs howled in the courtyards, and guards checked every tower and gate. Draven led Ly

eta named Toren, his thick arms crossed over hi

s using magic. She d

blood magic-dark arts. Seraphine has always been

growled. "Magnus wants Lyra. Sera

ed. The girl's training must intensify. And we must find al

yra lifted her chin. "If there's a w

sed in a blur of

her lungs burned. By day, they practiced with blade and claw. By night, she m

itting headaches, bone-deep exhaustion, or nightmares that left her shakin

p, mist drifting between ancient pines, Lyra spok

silence stretched, broken only

her blamed me. He went mad, turned on his pack. I killed him when I was se

his hand. "I don

ined fingers, expression hau

ser, heart hamm

ce with Draven. The Whitehowls were neutral, known for their ancient archives an

an with white hair and piercing blue eyes. He introduced himself

to Lyra. "This i

tly. "So the rumors are tru

, voice like steel. "A

een seen beyond our borders, gathering rogue wolves. She's offer

rough her. "She wants to fo

ayed. My Alpha has agreed to a parley. If you come

arrowed. "It co

said quietly. She met Drave

ney bega

t. Snow fell in gentle flurries, muffling hoofbeats. Pines rose aroun

ed by mountains. A sprawling fortress of pale stone rose from the val

Draven murmured. "

hunting beneath full moons. The air smelled of pine resin and old p

ble and silver banners. At its far end stood Alpha Helene White

. "You are Astrid's daughter," she

hard. "You kn

ave changed. The prophecy has awakened old fears. Some in my pack want you dead. Others s

heart pounding. The

s to enslave every pack, to rule through fear. I want to stop him. But I can't do it alon

oftened. "You s

One stood, face twisted with suspicion. "Or perhaps

the hall, low and dangerous. Bu

You will stay here tonight

, sleep el

ull moon that glowed silver-blue. The air was

rk cloak blending with the sha

g... What if the prophecy's right? What

shoulders. "You are not your bloodline

kissing her softly. The world narrowed to his warmth, the press of

his forehead against hers. "

eam shattere

re already converging on a courtyard where Alaric lay bleed

en. Lyra pressed her hands to the wound, trying to sum

r... green eyes..." His breath rattled. "She...

His last breath mist

ulled them back, slick with

ge. "She's after the binding stone. If she gets

horror dawning. "Then w