ana

It glared through my window, demanding I

vered in photos of us, were now blan

last thi

r of the pack lands, screaming wealth and power. My hands gripped

silver promise ring he gave me when we were sixteen. It

e steps. Luna Maria, Jax'

pulling me into a hug. She didn't

Maria," I said,

y usually smelled like lemon polish and old

sweet. Artifi

tal

The scent was coming

ajar. I pus

talina was sitting on the floor between h

raiding hair was something wolves did for their

ver braid

," I

atalina turned, a smir

Catalina's hair. "What are you doing here

log

the velvet box on his dres

was inside. His jaw tightened. "Stop

oom smells like her, Jax. You haven't even marked her, and you're le

und. "What bond? You can't even shift, Ellie. You're prac

arned, but there

eye. "I might not have my wolf yet, but I know

ed to

p. "You don't get t

I reached the to

past me, cutting me off

my way," I s

loser, invading my personal space. Th

umble. She launche

ut a scream and tumbled down the first thre

nkle!" sh

oved past me, his shoulder ch

g my footing on the slick hardwood. I di

fe

gainst the sharp edges of the wood. I hit the bottom floor wit

skull. Warm blood trickled down

ria's voice came

to push myself u

ling beside Catalina. She was clutchin

" Catalina sobbed. "

eeding on his floor. I was brok

," Jax spat at me, his voice dripping with disgust. "And weak. If you touch he

p-again-and carried

at," he yelled over his shoulde

aring at the ceiling. The ch

ward me, horror on her fa

spered, pushin

creamed in protest. My healing was slow, hum

was a relief, actually. It was easier to f

, leaving a trail of red dr

al. I went to the pharmacy, bought rubbing alcoho

y head myself, hissing

ghts. I wasn't strong enough to say the ritual words yet

ll in my mind. Brick by brick, I sealed

ed. It didn't break

the first time, I p