Chapter 4: The River Gate

The river ran black and fast under the bridge, and Ashfall stood on the far side of it.

Thirty wolves in coats and boots, in rows, with Garrick at the front.

Bram's people lined the near bank behind us, and the whole valley seemed to hold still.

I walked onto the bridge in a stranger's coat, with my hair braided by Hester and my chin up.

Bram met me at the center, and he didn't offer his arm.

He only stood where I could lean on him if I needed to, and let me choose.

I didn't need to. I kept walking.

Garrick had not slept. His collar was open and there were shadows under his eyes.

He looked me over once, and his mouth went tight.

"Cora. Enough. Come home."

"This is my home now."

"You're wearing another man's coat."

"It was the only one offered," I said.

His jaw flexed.

"Pack law is clear. A Luna doesn't leave her Alpha without his word. I don't give it."

"I rejected you at the spring. Your warriors heard me."

"And I refused it, in front of the same warriors."

He took a step onto the bridge, and then another, and the wood groaned under him.

"Don't make me drag you across, in front of everyone."

"You will not touch her," said Bram.

He didn't say it loudly.

Garrick turned his head and gave him a slow, hard look.

"This is Ashfall business, Haldane."

"She signed with Blackwater at dawn," Bram said. "She's my Luna by contract. That makes her my business."

A ripple went through the wolves on the far bank.

Garrick laughed, short and cold.

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