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He pointed back towards the door.

You speak wolf?I asked.

“I speak all beast, that’s why I’m here. Now get out, both of ya.”

I snapped at the dark wolf’s heels as he growled to himself, and we found a large space outside.

This is foolish!said the dark wolf.You can’t win.

The fur on the back of my neck raised. Yes, he was bigger than me. Stronger than me. An alpha.

But I was angry.

I lunged towards him again, grazing his back leg with my teeth, and he yelped in surprise, his sidestep not fast enough this time. He underestimated me.

But he also didn’t retaliate.

Fight back!I barked.

His eyes were steady, pleading. Then he charged.

I was agile enough to shift away in time, spinning and slashing at his flank as he passed.

Stop, he said again.Please.

I snarled in response, and he moved again.

This time he was faster, pinning me to the ground, his teeth wrapped loosely around my throat, waiting for me to give up.

I froze, breathing heavy. Why must my human side and I be so small? But I wouldn’t submit, I wouldn’t give up. If he couldn’t kill me, that was his weakness, not mine.

The dark wolf was suddenly lifted off me by a great force.

“Like children, you two. Honestly.”

50

CAMDEN

We found a small cave at the base of a mountain, and shifted back once we’d made sure it was empty, exhausted and spent.

“What happened?” Elias asked.

Kian was visibly shaken, his shadows flickering on and off until they finally petered out entirely. His hands were covered in blood, and he stared at them as he spoke.

“I was inside one of the homes. A guard came by for a surprise inspection. I took him down, but…”

“First time?” I asked.

He nodded wordlessly, his face even paler than its usual shade of alabaster.

Poor kid. I mussed up his hair a bit. “Well, what did you find out?”

“You wanna give him a minute to collect himself?” Archer huffed, putting a hand on Kian’s shoulder. “You got yourself out. You did well.”

My pack mate had really grown protective of our little bloodsucker. I arched an eyebrow, amused at his mother henning, as Kian took a deep breath and spoke up. “Thanks, I-I’m good. Really.”

We all sat down and he went over everything the beta shifter had told him.