The howls were closer now.
Darian did not slow down. He carried me through the trees like I weighed nothing Victor keeping pace on his left. My shoulder burned with every step but I bit it back.
We could not stop. Not yet.
The trees thinned and the ground dropped away into the valley below. The pack lands. Smoke rose from the main house in the distance.
What happened, Darian said low.
Rourke took control after the challenge Victor said. He told everyone you were dead. That you ran.
And they believed him Darian said. His jaw tightened.
They were scared I said. Rourke knows how to use fear.
We hit the edge of the clearing and stopped. Below us was the pack house. Thirty maybe forty wolves gathered in the yard. Rourke stood on the steps holding the dagger up high.
Tonight we end thi
