Chapter 35 · Quiet Before the Storm

Vane's stink was still in my throat — smoke, wet fur, and something sweet underneath, like he'd chewed mint to hide the rot.

Valerius hadn't moved off the doorframe in a full minute. His knuckles were white against the wood. I counted the seconds, because counting was the only thing standing between me and saying something I couldn't take back.

"Luna." Mira shoved a cup of water at me. "Sit. Please."

"I'm not the one who almost shifted in front of a rival Alpha."

"No." Her voice dropped. "But you're the one who's gray."

I looked at my hands. She was right. Ash.

Outside the window the yard was still packed. Thirty wolves in the mud, nobody shifting, nobody leaving. All of them facing the west wing like they expected the roof to come off.

Vane had walked onto Iron-Crag dirt with six wolves and a smile like he already owned the deed. And Valerius had let him walk back out.

"Out," Valerius said.

Mira slopped water down her apron and bolted before I could tell her it was fine. The door shut. Then he did something he hadn't done once in all the months I'd been here.