Stolen Mate

Rylan smeared juniper paste across his wrists, the sharp scent stinging the air. "Ready?"

I nodded, though my hands trembled. The vial of Kieran's blood we'd stolen days ago wasn't enough—Morana demanded more, *fresh* blood, for the ritual's final step. Tonight, we'd take it from the source.

We slipped into Silvermoon under a moonless sky, shadows our only allies. The patrols had doubled, but I knew their routes—every shortcut, every blind spot. My old life guided us like a ghost.

The infirmary's window creaked as I pried it open. Dust coated the shelves, the herbs I'd once tended now wilted and forgotten. Rylan shoved a satchel at me. "Syringes. Vials. Hurry."

I filled them with shaking hands. *This is betrayal.* But betrayal had kept me alive.

A floorboard groaned upstairs.

We froze.

Voices drifted down—Lila's laugh, sharp as broken glass. "Check the stores again. I swear I smelled pine resin."

*Juniper.* She'd recognized Rylan's scent-masking trick.

Rylan gripped my arm, yanking me into a supply closet as footsteps thudded closer. Lila's shadow loomed under the door, her crimson ribbon a slash of blood in the dark.

"Elara," she sang. "Still skulking in corners?"

I stopped breathing.

She paused outside the closet, her lavender stench cloying. "Come out, and I'll make it quick. Resist, and I'll let Kieran gut your rogue himself."

Rylan's dagger glinted. I shook my head. *No killing.*

Lila sighed. "Fine. Burn the place."

Garrick's voice rumbled. "The Alpha's orders—"

"Are mine now. Burn. It."

Rylan lunged before I could stop him. The door crashed open, his blade at Garrick's throat. Lila stumbled back, shrieking.

"Run!" Rylan snarled.

I bolted, vials clinking in my satchel. Shouts erupted. Torches flared. The infirmary ignited behind us, flames licking at the night.

Kieran's howl split the chaos—furious, wounded.

*He knows.*

Rylan dragged me into the forest, our breaths ragged. "Did you get it?"

I clutched the satchel. "Yes."

He grinned, wild and feral. "Then we die loud another day."