a

ies and shimmering silver ribbons. *Purity and M

earing the same grey dress I wore every d

hum of anticipation. Alphas from neighboring alliances were pre

ophone in hand. Chloe was beside him, rubbing her f

eclared, his voice amplified and smo

pression softening into a

mate," he said.

. A uniformed Beta bro

ce, thick and gaudy, glittered ag

" Ethan announced. "For

sped and app

nds felt cold against the skin. I loved the warmth of silver.

d, tilting her neck so he could clas

ng with finality. "I officially name C

d, a roaring wave,

A

ck of the hall flew open,

His clothes were shredded, his hair wild and matted. H

Ro

eamed, his voice crac

lence fell o

his composure fracturi

, pointing a dirty, trembling finger at Chloe

her mouth. She clutched Ethan's arm.

e a weapon. "I have the proof! She paid me to get her scent-mask

urned purple w

len

the Alph

y and suffocating. The Rogue fell to his knees instantly, choking, h

d, her voice shrill with

extending, glinting in the light.

N

think.

through the confused crowd, dr

rsting into the open aisle. "Li

d at me. His eyes wer

ound vibrating in his ch

ate to reach the man I once knew. "Ben has them!

nds. "She's jealous! She's trying to kill our

hloe's tears. The

e in a split secon

aitor," Ethan

n, pl

NE

full weight of

It was a hammer swingi

CRACK. The sound of bone splintering ech

e pain blinding me,

table as I collapsed. Warm blood gushed down

in betrayal. *He hurt

e by the hair and yanked my hea

issed in my face, spittle flying.

back down

n the dungeon. And take Ava to the holding

y dragged me across the polished floor, m

of blood in my

't cryin

der. And she smiled. A cold, victorious

he spat out a mouthful of blood

e wheezed, his voice bubbling with fluid. "Th

ms around Chloe, kissing her hair, s

t look a

ut behind me, cutting off

ting, a fire consuming my legs, b

. The love. The ten y

floor of the cell, bleed

hand. I still had the crumpled paper Ben h

He wouldn't listen

side me. A shackle I didn't

p. She shook her fur. She growled-a low,

sants were

od. Not the heat of shame. The

ing the damp cell. It wasn't the

of Winter. Crisp.

spered, her voice ancient