Chapter 16

• Aric’s POV
• The council hall smelled of woodsmoke and old stone, but the stench of my own blood or rather, my temper overpowered everything. I could feel it coiling tight in my chest, a wolf roaring behind my ribs, claws scraping at the cage of my restraint.
• I didn’t even know why I was here. The meeting had no business for me beyond procedure; yet I stood at the far edge, eyes locked on Zeva as she moved among the pack members. The girl walked like she had no clue she was meant to be untouchable. Her red hair caught the torchlight, glinting like fire against the muted greys and browns of the hall.