Chapter 16

Maeve’s POV

I stepped out of the castle into the gentle glow of the morning sunrise, its warmth seeping through my cloak and into my bones. Elysia stood beside me, her breath misting in the cool air as we waited for Dorian. Before long, he appeared at the gate, and the three of us cantered across the dew-damp grass toward the stables.

Inside the courtyard many pack members were already mounted. My gaze drifted among them until it settled on Draven. As always, he knelt beside Thea, helping her hoist herself into the saddle. My heart lurched when I realized he had spotted me staring, and his perfect amber eyes locked onto mine. I tore my gaze away at once.

I had been avoiding him—and he had been avoiding me—but with Dorian’s companionship I had grown accustomed to the distance between us. Because of Dorian, I had found a good friend here. I still didn’t understand why Draven and Dorian never got along, but then, Draven never seemed to get along with anyone exc