ie

inding white, then throbbin

asn't dead. I had landed on a firefighter's rescue cushion that ha

hand to m

e tiny spark I had fel

throat felt like it

s a Beta from our pack. H

ffered severe internal trauma.

ed me. But I didn't have the strength to let it out. I just st

walked in. He looked e

ing to the bedside. "Thank

slowly to look

ow. The doctor told me

hispered. "You trade

yden wouldn't have survived the stress of being a hostage. You ar

hed, a dry, cracking sou

c... help me...

in. Calling him.

the door. "I have to go che

said. "And do

He actu

. I couldn't stay in this place. I walked in

Carol, Cedr

l

th my cheek, snapping

she screeched. "You

inging cheek. "Your so

yden told us everything.

of me, standing in an alleyway, handing an envel

asped. "That's Photosho

gues to stage a kidnapping so you could play the hero. But it w

ne," I said,

" Carol

He took the phone from his mother.

were co

d you stage this? To get atte

aby for attention?" I asked,

reasoned, his logic twisted by grief and manipulation. "You

t do it,

" Cedric said. "She was too

rse sh

I said. "I h

D