na

e first thi

pulse in my jaw, a sharp, stinging ache in my wrist, a

damp darkness of the dungeon. I was in the Heale

it smelled of sharp antiseptic and the

ke," a soft

re bun that pulled at her temples. She was the one who had stitched me up after the poison dagger

, my hands flying inst

idened slight

asped, my throat dry as

or humming beside the bed. "But Elena... you can't stay here. The stress,

wave of dizziness that washed over me.

conversation in the garden, the prenatal supplements

th every sentence. By the time I finished, h

voice shaking. "After everything

leave, Mara

ning her features. "The border guards are on high alert

ce steady despite the fear fluttering

f glass jars lining the wall. "You

uspended animation. It mimics death down to the faintest heartbeat. It's incre

ne immediately. He won't want a funeral with the pack watc

red, horrified. "That's the t

nevolent Alpha. He'll agree to a private burial outside the Pack lands.

ment, searching my eyes for any sign of he

l Alpha in the North. Hamilton. He owes me a lif

ty, a distant echo I couldn't quite place, but

t," I

e potion with shaking hands. The result was a t

ng it into a cup, the door

his shirt collar askew. Was that guilt

ke?" he bar

Mara said, stepping pro

glance. He looked down at me, hi

t, Elena. Attacking the fu

ng to kill me," I said,

his hand dismissively as if swatting away a fly. "Look,

document from his pocket and

nd I will let you live in the serv

Scrubbing floors while watc

gers brushing against the col

ounter-offe

the security logs weeks ago-Candida meeting with known rogue wolves at the border. A

paterni

Unknow

ained from his face, leaving it a sickly g

watching him crumble. "But I don't c

his voice trembling. "I'll be a la

So here is the deal.

s head up, st

confirm it. I will die. You will let Mara take my body away quietly. No funeral. No scanda

ation shifting behind his eyes. He didn't grieve the loss

said abrupt

from the mess he had created. At the

wanted a mate who was stronger than me. You were alwa

r click

ead of my heart didn't ju

ilently down her face. She handed me the

," she warned

h as stayin

the cup t

my Mate," I whispered into the liquid, sea

ran

efusing to draw air. Darkness rushed in from the edges

s of the tiny spar

e one. We're g

world we