te bond throbbed with a dull, persistent ache. The pain had become a part

ghost. Her amethyst eyes, once vibrant, were now bruised, muted shades of purple. Sh

made her swoon now m

d the invitation. Her fingers we

ka

le word on his screen. He tossed the phone onto

essed herself against Ryker's side, a perfect picture of a worr

t. "Alpha," he said, his voice a low rumble of feigned concern. "Her quiet is... unusual. We must be cautious. A woman scorned is dangerous, and Elara has always been resilient. H

Ryker's mind. He had expected tears, begging, a dramatic confrontation. T

on so absolute, she would have no

ression at a small boy with bright, happy eyes. Cassia stood beside them, her hand resting on his arm, a family. The boy, Liam, was the orphaned son of a warrior from a di

atulations and heart emojis. The Al

re, his face a mask of thunderous rage. He held up hi

Why aren't you fight

felt a pang of something, a distant echo of an old emotion. "

stand that the girl who would have fought, the girl who would

harcoal-grey fabric. She looked like she was going to a funeral. Her own. She left her silver-blonde hair

d as she walked onto the grass. She was the

he actua

as a family, and she's

the

idn't flinch. She found a dark corner near the edge

iamond winking on her finger. She held one hand protectively over her flat stomach, playing the part of the glowin

urt. It landed on her. He had expected to see jealousy, rage

ty to read her, irritated him mo

murmured, her voice sweet as honey, sharp as glass. "This is what a

ixed on the dark line of trees beyond the law

He spoke of destiny, of finding his true other half in Cassia, of the joy of their "u

art was al

ind, silent and still. The pain was a dist

ed to laugh. One of them, a warrior named Kael, muttered, "Finally getting rid of the shadow." He then

idn't

s climax. His voice dropped, takin

g over the crowd, forcing everyone to look at her. "Com

ion. The final na

arted