Chapter 1

But she looked back.

She ran toward me, her fingers digging into my arm, her scent spiked with terror. "You said someone would come for me. But what if no one does? What if they kill me before I even get there?"

Her golden eyes narrowed. "Or is this your way of saving yourself? You want me dead?"

I pressed my lips together. In my first life, I had suffered so much before Kael found me. I remembered the agony. The silver burns. The way my wolf had nearly retreated forever.

"Fine," I said after a long moment. "I'll go with you."

Two wolves are easier to track than one. I pulled Elara through the shadows, weaving between ancient oaks, following the scent of running water to mask our trail. The Moon Temple was only a hundred yards east. In my past life, that was where Kael had found me.

I just had to get her there.

Then the hunters' howls split the night.

I shoved Elara behind me. "Run!"

Dark shapes lunged from the trees—rogue Alphas, sent by whoever wanted the Silvermane bloodline erased. I threw myself at them, claws out, fangs bare. An Omega against three Alphas. It was suicide.

A boot slammed into my ribs. I hit the ground. A silver blade swept toward my face.

I closed my eyes.

So much for this life.

Clang.

The ring of steel on steel. I opened my eyes. Kael Blackthorn stood over me, sword locked against the rogue's. His face was carved ice. He didn't look at me. He pushed past and strode toward Elara.

She was trembling against a tree, her Beta scent sour with fear. But her eyes—those soft eyes—lit up like twin moons.

"Kael?" she whispered.

He stopped. The Alpha's composure cracked. Pain, longing, relief—all of it flickered across his sharp features. He pulled her into his arms, cradling her as if she were made of spun glass. "I'm here," he murmured, his voice thick. "I've got you."

She sobbed into his chest.

I pressed my hand to my bleeding arm—a gash from the rogue's blade, already starting to sting with silver sickness. I watched them hold each other. Watched the hunters being subdued by Kael's pack warriors.

And I felt nothing but peace.

Good, I thought. This time, I owe no one.