Page 116 of Shifting Hearts 1
“Let them,” I growl.
“But how long can we keep running?”
“We don’t run,” I say quietly. “We hunt.”
SIXTEEN
Blood Oaths
Emilia
The wolves in the wildlands don’t trust anyone. Especially not me.
They smell the witch in my blood before I even open my mouth. Their eyes gleam with suspicion, barely held aggression, and something worse - fear.
I’m not sure what scares them more. That I’m half-witch or that Lucian stands beside me, unflinching. He is the most feared hunter the wolves have ever had and is often spoken of in hushed tones like he’s the damn bogeyman.
We travel for ten days through the densest part of the wildlands surrounding Crystal Falls and the mountain range surrounding it. There are trees so tall the sun barely touches the forest floor. The air is thicker here. Heavier. Like it remembers every death that happened beneath its boughs.
Lucian doesn’t speak much. But when he does, his words are sharp and calculated.
“They’ll want proof.” He says as we walk.
“Of what?”
“That you’re mine. And that I’m not afraid to shed blood for you.”
I swallow. “And if they don’t care?”
His smile is pure wolf. “Then I’ll make them care.”
The first pack we reach is the Ironfangs. They are outcasts and mercenaries. A mixed bunch of rejects. Wolves-for-hire to the person with the most money.
Their Alpha, a woman named Vaelin, has more scars than skin, and eyes like polished steel. Her wolves flank her like shadows. She studies us from atop a stone throne, chin lifted.
“I heard the Council’s bitch has gone rogue,” she says, voice like ice. “Didn’t believe it until now.”
Lucian doesn't flinch. “I’m no one’s bitch.”
“No,” she murmurs. “Now you’re hers.”
Her eyes flick to me. “To be clear,” I say sweetly, “he’s mine by choice. Not leash.”
Vaelin grins. “Oh, the little half-breed has teeth.”
“You want to see what else I have?” I lift my hand. A glowing sigil blooms to life above my palm - an old spell, binding and blood-soaked.
Several of her wolves flinch. Good. They should fear me, not just my mate.
We sit around the fire that night. Lucian outlines his offer - protection, territory, and something far more dangerous, change. There will be no more Council rule. No more purging the bloodlines that don’t fit their purity code.
“I want a new order,” Lucian says. “Where wolves like her - like us - aren’t hunted.”
Vaelin raises a brow. “You think you can overturn a thousand years of blood-law with your dick and a pretty half-witch?”
Lucian leans forward. “No. I’ll do it with war.”
Vaelin considers that, then cuts her palm and offers it. Lucian does the same and their blood hisses where it meets in the flames.
