Naida moved through the thick woods like a ghost, silver dagger strapped to her thigh and crossbow ready. The sun had barely risen, but she couldn’t stay in that cabin another minute. Her father’s words still burned in her ears. Finish the job. She needed to clear her head, scout Storm territory again, and prove she wasn’t weak.
The mate bond was a lie. A trick. She would kill the Alpha and end it.
Her body didn’t agree. Every step made her aware of the ache between her legs, the way her skin still remembered his touch from last night. She cursed under her breath and pushed harder, boots crushing leaves.
A branch snapped behind her.
She spun, crossbow up—but strong hands slammed her back against a thick pine tree before she could fire. The weapon dropped from her grip. Modric Storm pin
