~Kaida Orion POV~
I gulp. "Fine! Then we find him."
That evening, Lupus surprises me in the courtyard. He takes my hand, leads me to the pond, and the moonlight trembles on water.
He kneels. "You are brave....more than I ever imagined."
My lips tighten. "I want to protect our pack… our home."
He nods. "Our bond grows deeper after the ritual, because your courage sparked it."
I lean against him. "But fear sometimes follows."
He brushes my hair from my face. "Fear reminds us we care....to fight harder."
I close my eyes, feeling comforted.
.......
High in the east tower, Biat and I wait as guards flank the window. Midnight approaches, and
suddenly, in rooftop shadow: a glint....something jumps.
I feel tensed. A wolf leaps onto ledge....a silver chain sparkles on its neck. More human eyes than animal....intelligent, and fierce.
I gasp. The wolf-figure stands, as chains rattle.
"It's him," I breathe. "The watcher."
