NIKOLAI

The bull-looking elder hesitated for a moment, the ringed hanger of his nose scrunched up like he had smelled something a tad too sweet, like a lie, before the hard line of his shoulders deflated.

“There are...rumors Nikolai, nasty little tidbits that we picked up in the villages,” The man started, the thick, white fur of his wolf stirring as though a shiver had climbed through the hairs and my spine tingled.

I held my breath, careful to keep the impassive look on my face as the eyes of the other two elders bore holes into the side of my face.

“What rumors Lucian?” I queried calmly, crossing my...