Chapter 19 · Ivy's Gloves Come Off

The elders were waiting at the gate.

Not just waiting. They had silver chains ready and three enforcers standing in formation like we were bringing back a war criminal instead of a dying wolf who just named the Alpha's fiancée as a traitor. Cain's hand tightened on my arm the second we crossed the tree line and saw them. He didn't say anything but I felt the bond flare hot and sharp between us. Warning or promise I couldn't tell.

Ronan was slung over Ash's shoulder, barely breathing. The hunter brand on his neck had stopped smoking but the skin around it looked like melted wax. Every few seconds his body would jerk and he'd make this wet rattling sound that meant his lungs were filling up. He wasn't going to last another hour. Maybe that was the point. Maybe whoever did this to him timed it perfect so he'd die right before he could say Ivy's name again in front of witnesses who mattered.

"Alpha Locke." Elder Frost stepped forward. Her voice was winter itself. She didn't even look at me. "We received word you encountered the exile in hunter territory.