When Issa heard those footsteps in the direction of her camp, the heavy, unmistakable crunch of wolf boots on the soil outside—it was without doubt not a single person. But several.

Her heart slammed into the walls of her chest. Guards. Her blood locked up. Several questions were going on in her head.

She stood up, every fiber in her body tense. Aries stirred where he was lying. Athena whimpered, drawing further into her furs. Issa fought to keep her face calm, to show no fear, no hint of ...