Page 101 of The Reaper's Vow

I can picture it clearly. To discover your Luna conspiring with your enemy, it would be enough to test even Anselm’s infamous control.

“Take her,” my father orders, flicking his chin toward Saloma’s unconscious body. Two of his men step forward, dragging her limp form without ceremony.

“She said she killed Elias’s mother.”

My father stills, his composure fracturing for the barest instant. A curse slips from between his teeth, low and venomous.

“That’s not all, Father.” My voice is grim as I tighten the blanket around Karina, shielding her from both the night and the stares of our pack. “She’s a crossbreed.”

His head snaps toward me, pale eyes narrowing, nostrils flaring as he inhales sharply, testing the air as though scent might confirm it.

“You’re certain?” he demands.

I nod, my arm tightening around Karina's shoulders.

Karina shivers against me, and I pull her closer, wrapping the blanket more securely around her shoulders. Her skin feels like ice, despite the warm night air, as shock sets in now that the immediate danger has passed.

“I need to get her out of here,” I tell my father, already scanning the clearing for the quickest path back to the cars.

He nods once, his expression unreadable. “Take her to the compound. I'll handle the cleanup here.”

I don't wait for further instructions. With one arm supporting Karina, I guide her away from the altar, away from Lockhart's cooling corpse, away from the nightmare this clearing has become. Her legs tremble with each step, and I can feel her exhaustion through our bond—bone-deep and overwhelming.

“I can carry you,” I offer, but she shakes her head.

“I need to walk.”

“We'll take it slow.”

“Are we going home?”

Home. The word settles something deep in my chest. Soon I'll have Karina back where she belongs—in my bed, in my arms, where I can protect her properly. Where no one can ever touch her again.

“Yes, kitten. We're going home.”

I gather Karina closer, her body still trembling against mine. Even now, with Lockhart's blood still wet on my hands, I want more vengeance for what he's done to her.

We pick our way through the forest, following the path back to where I left my car. Each step takes us further from the horror of that clearing.

“I can feel you thinking,” she murmurs.

“I was thinking about killing him again,” I admit.

Her hand finds mine, fingers intertwining despite the blood that stains them both. “He's gone. That's enough.”

But it's not. Not for the wolf in me that demands retribution for every blemish on her skin, every moment of terror she endured. I want to hunt down every wolf who stood in that circle watching, every masked figure who would have witnessed her violation. I want to tear apart the world that dared threaten what's mine.

“How did you find me?”

“I injected you with a tracking device.”

Her body stiffens against mine.

“You what?”

“I couldn't risk losing you.” The words sound hollow even to my own ears. An excuse, not an explanation. “I knew the plan was dangerous. I knew Lockhart might find a way to take you.”

She pulls away slightly, just enough to look up at me. The bruises on her face look worse in this light.