Chapter 9: The Solstice Run

The Solstice Run begins at the top of the ridge, in a ring of old pines where the snow is trampled flat.

Two hundred wolves stood in that ring on the longest night of the year, bundled in coats.

A bonfire threw orange light up the trunks.

I walked in on Conall's arm, in the green dress, with my hair down.

He wore a plain black shirt and no jacket, and he did not shift.

The murmur followed us around the circle.

Adelaide stood at the foot of the fire in white wool, with her hands folded.

She smiled at me across the flames, and she looked so kind that I almost doubted what I knew.

"Friends," she said, and the ring went quiet. "Tonight the pack runs as one."

"It's the oldest law we have, and it binds every one of us equally."

She turned to the elder. "Doesn't it?"

The old man's face was unreadable in the firelight. "It does."

"And that includes the Luna." Adelaide's voice was gentle.

"Rowena, dear, I wouldn't ask if the law weren't the law. Will you shift for your pack?"

Two hundred faces turned toward me.

I took my hand from Conall's arm and stepped forward into the ring.

The snow squeaked under my boots.

My heart was pounding, but my back was straight, and for once I wasn't afraid of being looked at.

"I will," I said.

I closed my eyes and reached down into the dark place where the voice had been.

Nothing answered.

A long breath went through the crowd.

Somebody near the back said, "Poor thing."

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