We were outnumbered.

Alarmingly outnumbered.

“What’s happening?” Beau asked on a ragged breath. He’d pressed his forehead into Coco’s shoulder, clenching his eyes shut.

I struggled to keep my own voice steady. “We’re requesting an audience with the alpha.”

Directly in front of us, an enormous yellow-eyed wolf stepped into view. I recognized him immediately—his fur the color of smoke, his maw grizzled and misshapen. A chunk of his nose had been torn away. I still remembered the sight of it falling to the ground. The feel, the smell, of his blood on my hands. The sound of his tortured cries.

When he curled his lip, revealing teeth as long as my fingers, I forced myself to speak.

“Blaise. We need to talk.”

When I moved to rise, Lou stopped me with a curt shake of her head. She rose instead, addressing Blaise directly. Only I could feel her hand trembling. “My name is Louise le Blanc, and I seek an audience with the Beast of Gévaudan, leader of this pack. Can I assume you’re him?”

Blaise snarled softly. He didn’t look away from me.

“We’re here to negotiate a partnership against La Dame des Sorcières,” Lou continued, her voice stronger now. “We don’t want to fight.”

“You are very brave.” A sturdy young woman slipped out from between the trees, dressed in only a shift. Copper skin. Black hair. Deep brown eyes. Behind her, a miniature, male version followed. “Bringing a prince and a Chasseur into La Ventre.”

Beau glanced at me. When I nodded, he too stood. Though cautious, his posture shifted subtly, transforming him before our eyes. He straightened his shoulders. Planted his feet. Gazed down at the woman with an impassive expression. “I’m afraid you have us at the disadvantage, Mademoiselle . . . ?”

She glared at him. “Liana. I am the Beast of Gévaudan’s daughter.”

Beau nodded. “Mademoiselle Liana. It is a pleasure to meet you.” When she didn’t return the sentiment, he continued, undeterred. “My companion spoke truth. We are here to make peace with the loups-garous. We believe an alliance could benefit all parties involved.”

Lou cast him a grateful look.

“And what party do you represent?” Liana asked silkily, stalking closer. Beau’s eyes shifted as a handful of wolves shadowed her movements. “Your Highness.”

Beau gave a strained smile. “Unfortunately, I am not here in an official capacity, though I maintain hope my father is also amenable to an alliance.”

“Before or after he sends his huntsmen to slaughter my family?”

“We don’t want to fight,” Lou repeated.

“That’s too bad.” Liana grinned, and her incisors lengthened, sharpening to lethal points. “Because we do.”

Her little brother—perhaps five years younger than Ansel—bared his teeth. “Take them.”

“Wait!” Beau cried, and the wolf nearest him startled, snapping at his hand. He tumbled to the ground with a curse.

“Please, listen!” Lou darted between them, lifting her hands in a placating gesture. Heedless of her pleas, the wolves charged. I scrambled after them, drawing twin knives from my bandolier, preparing to throw—

“We just want to talk!” Her voice rose desperately. “We don’t want to fi—”

The first wolf slammed into her, and she staggered back, hand extending to me. Eyes seeking mine. I adjusted my aim instinctively, throwing the knife straight and true. Catching the hilt as it turned, she slashed at the wolf in a single, continuous movement. When it yelped and leapt aside, bleeding, its kin skidded to a halt all around. Snarls and howls filled the night.

“We don’t mean any harm.” Lou’s hand no longer trembled. “But we will defend ourselves if necessary.” At her back, I lifted my own knife for emphasis. Coco and Ansel joined with theirs. Even Beau unsheathed his dagger, completing our circle.

“Well,” Coco said bitterly. The wolves prowled around us, searching for a weak point to attack. “This spiraled out of control even quicker than I thought it would.”

I swung at a wolf who edged too close. “You know what I need to do, Lou.”

She shook her head vehemently. “No. No, we can still negotiate—”

“You have an interesting way of negotiating,” Liana snarled, gesturing to her wounded kin, “bringing knives and enemies into our home and cutting us open.”

“I didn’t want for that to happen.” Another wolf lunged while Lou spoke, hoping to catch her off guard. To her credit, she didn’t stab it. She kicked it in the nose. “We have information on your enemy, La Dame des Sorcières. Together, we might finally defeat her.”

“Ah. I understand now.” A small smile played on Liana’s lips. She lifted a hand, and the wolves stopped circling abruptly. “You’ve come to beg for the pack’s help.”

“To ask for it,” Coco said sharply. She lifted her chin. “We will not beg.”

The two stared at each other for several seconds. Neither flinching. Neither looking away. Finally, Liana inclined her head. “I acknowledge your bravery, Cosette Monvoisin, but the pack will never help a prince, a huntsman, and their whore.” When she nodded toward Beau, me, and Lou, I saw red. Gripping my knives with deadly intent, I stepped forward. Coco’s arm came across my chest. Liana laughed, the sound fierce. Feral. “You shouldn’t have come here, Reid Diggory. I’ll enjoy tearing out your throat.”

“Enough, Liana.” Deep and hoarse, Blaise’s voice cut through the din of eager growls. I hadn’t seen him slip away. He stood before us now as a man, clothed only in a pair of loose-fitting pants. His chest was as scarred as his face. His shoulders as broad as my own. Perhaps broader. Like his wolf’s coat, his hair grew long and stormy gray, streaked with silver. “Morgane le Blanc visited us earlier this week with a similar proposition. She spoke of war.”

“And freedom from the Chasseurs,” Liana spat.

“All we must do is deliver her daughter—your wife”—Blaise’s yellow eyes bored into mine, filled with hatred—“and my people’s persecution will end.”

“She’s going to sacrifice me.” Lou’s hand clenched on her knife. Blaise tracked the movement. Predatory. Assessing any weaknesses, even now. “I’m her daughter,” Lou continued, her voice rising in pitch. A glance confirmed that her pupils had dilated. Her body was also preparing to fight, even if her mind hadn’t yet grasped the danger of our situation. “Yet she only conceived me—raised me—to die. She never loved me. Surely you see how evil that is?”

Blaise bared his teeth at her. His incisors were still sharp. Pointed. “Do not speak to me of family, Louise le Blanc, when you have never known one. Do not talk of killing children. Not with the company you keep.”

Lou grimaced, a note of desperation lacing her voice. “He’s a changed man—”

“He owes us blood. His debt will be paid.”

“We never should’ve come here,” Beau whispered.

He was right. Our plan had been half-assed at best, and this—this had been a suicide mission from the start. The Beast of Gévaudan would never join us. Because of me.