Chapter 18

Ronan's POV

Mara spent the return journey pretending the command recoil had not frightened her.

I spent the return journey pretending the bloodline warning had not frightened me.

Neither of us was convincing. We stopped at an old Ironwood hunting lodge because Lena and the other rescued wolves were too exhausted to travel farther. Orsik arrived shortly after sunset and nearly broke his daughter's ribs hugging her.

I left them alone and found Mara on the back porch overlooking the frozen lake.

She had wrapped both hands around a mug. The red line across her palm showed clearly against the ceramic.

"If you are here to tell me to sleep, make it creative," she said without turning.

"I considered ordering a choir."