The wind tore through Dante's fur, and his paws flew across the ground. Voices clashed inside his mind, but he paid them no attention.

Run run run

In this moment, it was all he knew. It was all he'd known for the past twelve hours—ever since the curse had broken and he'd stepped into his wolfskin. He never wanted to shift back, and he supposed, without the unwelcome weight of the curse, he didn't have to. For there was no such freedom as this, running through the woods as a clear night sky sparkled overhead, surrounded by others of his kind.

The only thing he would have changed was the feeling that he might die.

A gunshot blasted from behind, and Dante ducked, swerving around a tree. Listening to the thunk of the bullet hitting the wood, he pushed himself harder. Faster.

The keepers in pursuit had abandoned their vehicles to chase him and the other betas on foot, but based on the headlights flashing in his periphery, some had discovered backroads. Shouts from behind, more gunfire, a lupine wail.

Dante's heart thundered.

Run run run

Roaring engines grew closer, and lights beamed into his path from the left.

Veer north! he screamed to the others, diving to the right.

Most followed, but one was too slow. Dante glanced over a shoulder to see a bullet slam into the young wolf's skull. He tumbled to the ground—dead.

A dozen remained, and four of them had been heavily drugged by their pursuers. Dante and Capello had led a strike on a transport vehicle carrying the Volkari that the Vigil had taken prisoner at the cemetery. They'd broken them out easily enough. Now, all that was left to do was run.

Run run run

A mighty howl erupted, piercing the night. Dante knew that howl; it belonged to his alpha. He followed it, eventually coming upon a narrow river that cut through the forest—a boundary marker. This was the end of the Ministry's territory and the beginning of Inferni lands.

Dante vaulted across the surging waters, barely landing on the other side. The others followed shortly, and their alpha continued howling.

When all the wolves had crossed, Dante looked back to find their Nefili trackers skidding to a halt. Sweet victory pumped through his veins, and he lifted his muzzle to the sky, answering Capello's call.

Then he dove into the mouth of a ravine, leading the others. They scaled the rocky face to get higher ground, and as the last of the wolves climbed over the lip, Dante made out the silvery shape of Alpha Capello emerging from a thick patch of woods.

Other than the padding of paws on loose earth, all Dante heard was the distant rumble of engines and the labored breathing of the wolves around him.

What of the demon-witch? Capello said by way of greeting. The questioned swept through Dante's mind, the minds of everyone gathered.

Dante shook his head. She wasn't being transported with them.

Forget Tatiana! one of the wolves exclaimed. She can rot in hell.

A chorus of agreement followed, until Capello snarled, She can also give the Vigil details of our operations and whereabouts. Do you want keepers rounding up our families and hauling them off to prisons?

Silence festered among them.

We should pack up camp and relocate, uncle, Dante said. The sooner the better.

Capello's golden eyes narrowed on him, and Dante could've sworn he huffed in agitation. One of the wolves who'd been taken captive stepped forward. He swayed a little, still under the influence of whatever drugs had been administered.

Why did we stop? We should put as much distance as possible between ourselves and those keepers. He glanced toward the treetops. And dawn isn't for another few hours; Inferni will be hunting at this time.

At the mentioning of the winged demons, the betas shifted from foot to foot, hackles rising, but Capello's gaze landed on Dante.

There's something I wanted to discuss with all of you.

Dante's ears twitched uncontrollably. He didn't like that look.

Morgan, tell everyone what you told me earlier today.

The she-wolf slinked into place beside Capello, small but vicious. She was one of the few females that Capello entrusted with large responsibilities. But what made her dangerous wasn't her disposition, or even her role in the pack.

No—this wolf was Sam's lover. Sam, whom Dante had last seen in the woods around Daemonstri headquarters. Who'd been present when he told Nika the truth of her identity. Whom he'd shot.

You killed him. There was no doubt in Morgan's tone. And as for her eyes—pure and blazing fury consumed them.

Dante's heart was racing. Not because of the running, or because of the dangers lurking around them. This was panic.

He didn't know how the bitch had found out, or what proof she had to backup the claim. So Dante just stood there, holding her gaze as the other wolves transmitted questions and exclamations into his head.

Silence! Capello ordered.

They obeyed.

Morgan stepped closer, growling. And you brought Nika Dimitrovich to the cemetery today. You're the reason the Vigil ambushed us!

Dante had half a mind to remind her that, had the Vigil not arrived when they did, Asteroth would have ripped them all to shreds. But he doubted these wolves would see reason right now. Not when Dante had been punished for treason mere weeks ago.

He schooled his face into an unreadable calm, but on the inside, he was scrambling for a way to fix this situation. How did they find out? He supposed it didn't matter. He was guilty, and if they convinced enough betas of the fact . . . 

How do you respond, nephew? Capello pressed.

Dante glanced around the semicircle of wolves, gauging whether or not he could escape, and then outrun them. Then an idea struck.

He lifted his chin, curling his lips in a way that teased glimpses of his teeth. You got me.

Morgan snarled, lunging, and Dante was ready to rip into her when Capello slammed her down. Whimpering, she scrambled onto all-fours, then scurried to join two other betas, tail tucked between her legs.

Capello bared his teeth, tongue flicking out like he would devour Dante for a snack. I gave you a second chance, and I warned you that there are no thirds.

Maybe not, Dante said. But if you intend to punish me for killing Sam and conspiring with Nika, then you must also punish yourself.

At that, Capello balked. What are you talking about?

Didn't you agree to let Tatiana release that demon, knowing it would kill many of us?

The betas sent each other wary looks.

Dante went on, Isn't that why you chose to perform the ritual at the cemetery, uncle? Because you knew Tatiana would need a fresh Daemonstri corpse? Isn't that why you killed the Nefili boy when we attacked Konstantin Academy?

Capello's breath came in uneven, angry heaves. You scheming little—

Traitor? Dante laughed. Apparently, it runs in the family.

An uproar of thoughts ignited in Dante's mind. Protests, demands, exclamations. Capello silenced them all with a ferocious bark.

I did what I had to do! the alpha proclaimed. To break the curse. To free our loved ones from suffering. But I was not alone in the effort.

He turned on Dante.

In fact, it was my nephew who persuaded me to agree to the demon-witch's terms. It was he who informed me of Tatiana's existence in the first place!

I trusted him, because he shares my blood. But recently, I've wondered . . . Where do Dante Azzara's loyalties lie? Until three years ago, all I knew was that my half-wild sister and her mutt of a son were hopping from continent to continent as rogue, packless wolves. Hunting for fairytales and myths.

Dante huffed. His clueless uncle! For Dante's hunt had never ended. When his mother had died, he'd promised to continue the search. But in order to do that, he needed the moon curse to be broken, so he'd come to this pack.

Capello made it easy. He'd fallen for the long-lost family trick. He'd listened to Dante's suggestions, was lured by his persuasions. A fool and a coward—that's what Capello was. Not fit to be an alpha.

But he would get what he deserved soon enough. Even if he ordered Dante's execution tonight, there would be no undoing Tatiana's magic. Asteroth worked wonders on weak minds, and Capello's was the weakest of all.

By now, the betas had flocked around their alpha. Dante didn't blame them. They'd been living under his uncle's rule for so long now, they didn't even realize that they had another choice. Soon, though, they would understand. Dante would free them, just as he'd freed them from the curse.

Capello's gunmetal fur glistened in the moonlight as he raised himself high on stiff legs and declared, For the murder of Beta Sam, and for conspiring with our enemy, I hereby banish you, Dante Azzara, to live out your days as a rogue wolf. Alone and packless—just as you were when you came into this world.

I always preferred it that way, Dante thought to himself.

Satisfaction filled his belly like the meat of a fresh kill. Had he been wise, Capello would have ended his life right here, in front of these betas, as an example of the consequences of undermining his authority.

Fortunately for Dante, his uncle was not wise.

In the ravine below, tires screeched and keepers shouted. They must have found a way across the river.

Go! Capello shouted.

The betas took off, heading north into pack territory. But Capello lingered, and so did Dante, despite the adrenaline flooding through his veins.

If you come back, the alpha hissed, it will be the last thing you do.

He made to turn around, but Dante said, If you ever need my help—and I'm sure you will—I'm happy to give it to you. But be aware that you're no longer permitted to a family discount.

With a snarl, Capello dove into the forest after his betas. The huffing breath of keepers gradually ascended the ravine's slope, so Dante turned westward, toward human territory, and took off.

As the weight of what just happened settled on him, he slashed a passing tree trunk with his claws. Whatever satisfaction he felt had faded, and annoyance took its place.

This was a setback he hadn't prepared for. He needed the pack in order to complete the next phase of his plan—recruiting Nika. Though she didn't admit it, their rebellion appealed to her. Not just because she was the Halfblood Bastard, but because she was a wolf. And deep down, she knew it.

Without the Volkari rallying around him, Dante's chances of luring her were slim to none. But the main obstacle was still her loved ones. And after he removed the silver-haired witch, the father, and that bloodydamned Russian giant from the equation, Nika would belong to him.

He would destroy them all, strip away everything she loved, all of the people that kept her loyal to the Ministry and Vigil. And when there was nothing left inside her but hatred and rage and a thirst for vengeance, Dante would make her exactly what she was born to be.