Chapter 17: Three Wolves and One Moon
“Take her before they rule.”
Darius’s order cracked through the floodlit circle, and the ridge exploded into motion.
The first Eastridge wolf hit the marked witness line low and fast, gray body cutting through the rain with mud sprayed from its paws. A Council guard fired into the ground beside it, missing on purpose or from panic; Valentina could not tell. The shot slammed into stone, sharp enough to sting her ears. Wolves scattered behind the rope line. Chairs overturned. Someone screamed Isabela’s name. Another Council camera burst under a second round, sparks spitting across the carved stones.
Brady moved in front of Valentina before the sparks hit the ground.
Not touching her. Not yet.
His body made the question with the angle of his shoulde
