Chapter 4

The healer’s fingers trembled as she bound the hilt to my palm.

The metal pressed hard against raw skin, sending a jolt of pain up my forearm that forced my wolf to shrink back beneath my ribs. I stood motionless.

Around us, the hall remained frozen. Every eye was locked on the dais, the air thick with the scents of shock, curiosity, and the rising edge of aggression from Wystan’s guard post.

Edith remained on the stone floor, cradling her wrapped arm and maintaining her pale, frightened composure. Wystan stood between us, his broadsword drawn, his Alpha presence flaring out…