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There is no mistaking the deep emotions in Nox’s voice, while his words offer insights into their bond. I read the report again, letting everything sink in. How Eiden’s brothers, men who should be in exile, have been sighted in Wormwood on multiple occasions.

I have been here long enough now to recognize the city has its share of secrets, the biggest of which is Wormwood.

Every pack has its secrets, too. Why did I expect the stags to be any different?

Maybe I was swayed by the grandness I met on arrival, the regimented nature of its soldiers, and the air of sophistication far beyond anything one might find in a wolf pack. Yet all is not quite as rosy as it would seem on the surface. The cover has been lifted and I have peeked inside. While patrols are focused on external threats, there is a component of stealth and surveillance turned internally to a certain district that the citizens remain largely ignorant to courtesy of Ambrose. When the occasional trouble spills out, he moves swiftly to mop it up.

Only this is different, this is a threat to Eiden. And any threat to Eiden is a threat to Fawn. Not that I want either of them hurt. Eiden has a sweet disposition—I see how he is with Fawn. It is hard to imagine anyone being cruel to him. But in my many years as pack enforcer, I have witnessed my share of prejudice and cruelty that can manifest for the most ludicrous of reasons. “They want him. Revenge for their family’s downfall and exile.”

“We believe they do,” Seven says. “His patrol was ambushed just before I left to collect Fawn. His stag turned feral, and the antagonists were slain. They likely didn’t know or didn’t believe he even had a stag—he was mute and unable to shift when he lived with them. They will be better prepared next time. Today was his first patrol since that incident. We sent double the number of stags, which I used your inclusion as an excuse for. He will be suspicious if that pattern continues. For safety, Iwould rather he does not patrol at all, which will likewise make him suspicious.”

“He doesn’t know?”

“Not yet,” Seven says.

“You need to tell him.”

“I know.”

“Fawn?”

“We have no reason to believe she is in danger. This is personal to Eiden. But as a precaution, neither should shift outside the Royal Woodland until this is resolved.”

Fawn

Distant voices rouse me, and I jump up and flash back to human.

I am naked. My memory skips over everything leading up to me taking a nap… running around with Blue… the broken vase… the rug sliding…

“Fawn!”

That is Wolf.

“Fawn!”

That is Seven

“FAWN!”

That is Wolf’s angry voice.

Panic set in.

Oops, oops, oops!

Their voices fade away. My mind scrambles, trying to think of a good reason for the mess. I come up with none. Maybe it is not that bad…

I need to get dressed. My wild eyes survey the nest, which was so beautiful but now looks like chaos. Where is my dress?Frantically, I start tossing nesting aside, searching for my clothes.

Woof!

“Go away, Blue!” I hiss through the crack in the door.

Woof!

The door swings open.

“She’s fine,” Eiden calls, his eyes sliding from me to the rumpled nest. His lips twitch. “Is that a nest!”