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I laughed softly The Pack had seven clans, segregated by the nature of their beasts, and each clan had two alphas Dealing with alphas had to be one of the circles of hell

Curran shrugged his h all you want When I was fifteen and Mahon pushedand stupid I thought it was a crown I didn’t realize it was a ball and chain instead I’m off my chain now I like it"

I pretended to shiver Considering the way he said "I like it," I didn’t have to pretend very hard "Off your chain So dangerous, Your Majesty"

He glanced at ht be too scary to let into the house I don’t know if I can risk falling asleep next to you, Unchained One Who knoould happen?"

"Who said anything about sleeping?"

I opened my mouth to taunt him and clamped it shut I couldn’t see the house, but I could see the section of the front lawn painted in a yellow electric glow It was past o There was no reason for the lights to be on

Curran broke into a run I urged Cuddles forward

Cuddles balked Apparently she didn’t feel like running

"Corowled

She backed up

Screw it I jumped off her back and ran to the house The door handle turned in my hand I jerked the door open and dashed inside

A soft electric light bathed our kitchen Curran stood to the side Julie sat at the table, wrapped in a blanket, her blond hair a h not to ram into the kitchen table and burst into the kitchen A one-armed woman with a mane of dark curly hair sat at the table across frohter and the Pack’s clerk of court

She turned to ard "I need help"

• • •

JULIE YAWNED AGAIN "Bye I’e said