Tyler Reed appeared at the entrance holding a scroll stamped with Silverpeaks wolf emblem.


    Got that Blood Oath contract, he said to ke, handing over the document.


    He nodded at me, respect evident in his stance. ''Heard you passed Lucas''s gauntlet. Not many do."


    “Thanks,” I said. "Hunter seems to think I''m alright."


    That beast trusts about three people in the entire world, Tyler''s mouth quirked. "Make that four now."


    Let''s move, ke tucked the scroll into his jacket, his tone clipped.


    I noticed how his shoulders rxed slightly around Tyler-interesting-as he guided


    me toward a sleek ck carriage marked with silver wolves.


    A guard jumped down, quickly opened the door and bowed his head to ke. I slipped inside with a quick smile to the guard, ke following close behind.


    Where to, Alpha King? the guard asked.


    Moonlight Lodge, ke replied.


    1 whipped my head toward him. "Thought you were dumping me back at Shadow Creek?"


    "Need to talk, ke said, keeping his voice low. And you haven''t eaten. I can hear your stomach."


    I almost asked about my father several times, but the guard''s presence made me swallow my questions. William''s clock was ticking-the full moon and his execution date edging closer by the hour.


    The carriage pulled up to Moonlight Lodge, my stomach knotting. Last time I was here, Jackson''s goons had humiliated me, and Jackson himself nearly crushed my windpipe.


    Inside, the staff practically tripped over themselves greeting ke. Other patrons bowed respectfully, but when they spotted me, the whispers started like wildfire.


    "Traitor''s daughter` and `marked leftover floated around the room. I kept my chin up, refusing to shrink. Nothing I hadn''t heard before.


    "Evening. Mr. Morgan, the host smiled. "Your usual spot is ready."


    Thanks, ke nodded.


    We followed him through the main dining area with its weapons and pack totems toward a secluded corner overlooking moonlit forests and mountains.


    A drunk wolf suddenly stepped into our path, swaying slightly.


    "Well, well," he slurred, bloodshot eyes fixed on me. "Alpha King''s got himself Shadow Creek trash. Didn''t know you liked damaged goods."


    The room went dead silent. You could ve heard a pin drop.


    ke didn''t speak, but his Alpha aura hit the room like a physical wave. Several wolves automatically lowered their heads, the drunk included, their bodies recognizing supreme authority before their brains caught up.


    "Sit. Down." Just two words, whisper-quiet, and the drunk copsed into his chair like his legs had turned to jelly.


    ke''s hand settled lightly on my lower back, guiding me forward. The protective gesture might as well have been a neon sign to everyone watching.


    In our private booth, I sighed. "Sorry about that. Not exactly great for your image."


    "Couldn''t care less," ke replied, surprising me with his tone.


    A waitress appeared, practically tripping over herself to serve ke while shooting daggers at me.


    What would you like? ke asked.


    "Just a sd, I said, handing back the menu.


    "She''ll have the venison," ke corrected. "And a bottle of Silverpine."


    "Right away, Alpha King," she breathed before scurrying off.


    "You need protein, not rabbit food, ke said when he caught my raised eyebrow.


    Once alone, ke leaned forward, his voice dropping.


    "About your father," he said quietly. "I''ve been digging into his case."


    My heart stuttered. "And?"


    "Numbers don''t add up," ke''s eyes darkened. "Hayes'' story has holes big enough to drive a truck through. I need more proof, but I think someone set your father up.


    ke cleared his throat.


    "But first," he said, studying me with those storm-cloud eyes, "we need to talk about you and Jackson."


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