Chapter 21 Sage Sleep evades me as dawn creeps over the horizon . The nightmare still lingers - Cassius's cruel smile , the searing pain , the pack's jeering faces . But something else tugs at my mind too : the feeling of safety in Alaric's arms , the warmth of his touch as he calmed my fears . It's dangerous to think about that too deeply . Instead of tossing in my too - soft bed , I slip out of my room in the pack house . The halls are quiet this early , and no one stops me as I make my way outside . The morning air carries the crisp bite of approaching winter , and I wrap my arms around myself , following whatever instinct draws me toward the eastern edge of the grounds . I find myself in what must be the pack's medicinal garden . Neat rows of herbs stretch before me , their scents mixing in the morning air . Something about this place feels ... right . Like coming home , though I've never had a real home to compare it to . A small whimper draws my attention . Near the garden's edge , a young mother kneels beside her pup - a little boy no more than five , with tears streaming down his face as she examines his scraped knee . Before I can stop myself , I'm moving toward them . " Yarrow , " I blurt out , then immediately want to disappear when they both look up at me . " I mean ... sorry , I shouldn't interfere , but yarrow and calendula together would help with that . And prevent scarring . " Instead of the rejection I expect , the mother's face brightens . " Of course ! I always forget about yarrow . " She glances at the neat rows . " Would you mind ... ? " My hands seem to move of their own accord , selecting the right leaves and flowers . As I hand them to her , the little boy's tears slow , and he looks at me with curious eyes . " Your eyes are pretty , " he declares . " Like the moon flowers that bloom at the full moon . " His mother shushes him , but smiles warmly at me . " Thank you . I'm Ylina , and this is Ben . You must be Sage ? The one Alpha brought back ? " I nod , tensing for the judgment that usually follows , but Ylina just starts grinding the herbs between two stones she pulls from her pocket . " Sorry , news of a new wolf travels fast in this pack . Anyway , I don't know why I didn't think of yarrow , " she muses . " My grandmother always used to say it was the moon's favorite healing herb . Did your grandmother teach you too ? " " No , um , " I feel the familiar hollowness on my chest that always comes when I think about a family I never knew , " I just tend to get hurt a lot . I taught myself how to use the plants growing in the forest near my cottage to help heal my wounds . " Thankfully she doesn't comment , just keeps humming as she grinds the plant into a paste . Later that morning , Iris finds me still lingering in the garden . Her bright smile eases some of my anxiety about being caught out of my room . " There you are ! Ready for your crash course in pack life ? " She links her arm through mine , giving me no choice but to follow her toward a massive stone building . " First stop : library . You need to know our history if you're going to be part of our future . " The words send an unexpected pang through my chest . Future . Do I dare hope for one here ? Chapter 21 +25 BONUS The library takes my breath away . Three stories of floor - to - ceiling shelves curve around a central sitting area , with ladders that slide along brass rails . The air smells of leather and parchment and secrets . " Overwhelming , isn't it ? " Iris grins . " Let's start with the basics . Pack hierarchy , customs , that sort of thing . " But as she leads me toward one section , something else catches my attention . In a shadowy corner , half - hidden behind a pillar , a shelf of ancient - looking books seems to glow in a shaft of morning light . My feet carry me toward them before I realize I'm moving . " Oh , the old histories ? " Iris follows , curious . " Most people find those boring . They're from before the great pack wars , when things were ... different . " BIG SALE : 3500 BONUS FREE FOR YOU !