N Y X A R A
By sunrise, Ashmoore had already decided what kind of monster I was.
The only disagreement was whether to kill me before breakfast or chain me to their Alpha until I forgot how freedom felt.
They marched me through the eastern courtyard beneath a sky gone pale with frost. No shackles. Kaelor had forbidden them.
That did not make the wolves lining the stone paths look less eager to tear out my throat. I walked anyway.
Blood had dried beneath my nails. Mud darkened my boots. The cut across my shoulder pulled with every step, but I kept my spine straight and counted exits because pride was useless unless it helped you survive.
Taren walked ahead carrying the blackened leather and Bone Quarter clasp like evidence at an execution. Selira waited inside the Dawn Ring, silver-cla
