th sentence. She had spent her life running from the idea of belonging to anyone, let a

. But what could she say? That he was wrong? That she didn't feel t

fresh wound the rogues had left behind. The bite wasn't deep, but it was enough to slo

controlled. He was trying to hold back, she realized. Trying not to scare her

use him, insist on going her own way, but where would that leave h

to Nightfang territory, into something she had spe

f myself," she sai

to her injured arm

S

ut instead of arguin

d away on ins

east in him, the curse that made him more monster than man, wanted to clai

th and stepped back

en, against her bette

oward the tre

territory, the air thick with the scent of pine and damp earth. She didn't belong here. She never had

tfan

Barbara had ever seen. It wasn't a town, nor

ent and unyielding. The structures within were dar

ursed alongside its

the stronghold, all eyes turned to them. Wolves in human form watched from doo

side, their expressions darkened. Barbara

moved with the confidence of an Alpha,

streaks of gray in his dark hair. His piercing blu

is

eak stride. "S

wolves. The older man-clearly a Bet

ked, his voice l

e hardened

as the first to recover. He exhaled sharply

y's voice was rough.

rned back to Barbara, eyes n

ightened. "B

ng moment, then sighed.

tensed. "I didn't

gaze back to Andy.

kened. "Everything ab

, waving a hand toward one of the stone buil

motioned for B

y the pack continued t

the Alp

unlit, while a heavy wooden table sat in the center. A massive bed rested against the far wall, draped in dark furs. It was more cave than home. Barbara stood awkw

" he

arily. "I can take

her a lo

hands. His touch was surprisingly gentle as he cleaned the wound. The sting made her fl

one?" he asked

sed. "Does

cked up to meet her

y. "I've alway

, but she could f

arm and sat back on his he

e. She wanted to believe him. But she had learned long ago that believing i

she said, sta

sion darkened

pounded. "

was there. He didn't touch her, didn't block her aggressively

e said again, his vo

Because I'm your mate? Because f

tened. "Because

been taking care of

ut the rogues who attacked us-they weren't jus

ned. "Lookin

ted, then s

ed up her spine. "

slow step cl

Hadn't she? She had stayed off the radar,

d rogues be

elieved she was running from something. What if

not leaving," he said again. "Not

his words pressing down on her. And