Thor

d shot out, gripping my arm to steady me. The touch was f

the formal attire of a visiting Alpha. His hair was the color of dark honey, and his eyes, a startling amber, we

is voice a low rumble. He released my arm

spin, and the man's powerful presence was dizzying. He smelled of pine and winter fro

in dress and disheveled state before he turned away, clearly eager t

. The fresh night air was a relief against my flushed skin as I finally burst out onto a de

ef I'd been drowning in wine came rushing back, sharp and suffocating. My mother was dead. My father was c

knuckles white, as my stomach churned. The wine wasn't

e you

ched with a familiar mixture of pity and disapproval. She was a stout woman, her

ng, Elara," she said, her tone c

retorted, my voice raw. "I

nd. "Your father is happy. Ca

r laugh escaped my lips. "Happy? He's marrying that woman on t

ife moves on. Alaric is the Alpha; he needs a Luna by his side. Marley

I whispered, the wo

dn't understand. Now, come back inside. People are starting

ot going back in there to watch

be so dramatic. You're embarrassing

e bold. "What family? The one that forgot its

errace. "Your father has been patient with your moods for too

d me of my duty, my place. But all they

rled, my voice trembling with a rage that had been s

tight with anger, was now pale with shock. "How da

horne, standing in the doorway to the terrace. His face was a thunderous mask, his gray eyes li

w and dangerous. It was the voice he used on the train

ing from scolding to subservient. "Alaric. Elara was just

ed on me. He took in my tear-streaked face, my defia

upset. It's a difficult day for her, I'm sure." Her voice was syrupy sweet, b

fake sympathy, w

d, pointing a shaking finger at Marle

he sheer force of his Alpha presence washed over me

her ruin Mom's necklace! You let her de

beautifully. "I... I only wanted to borrow it," she whispered, a tear tracing a p

All

ing. "She did it on purpose! She stepp

my wild, alcohol-fueled fury. And in that moment, I knew who he wou

dropping to a deadly calm. "You will not ruin this

w whisper of defiance. "I w

nished the

t music. A searing, white-hot pain exploded across my cheek, and the force of the blow sent me

like it was on fire, and the metal

on my father. He stood there, his hand still slig

r hit me be

a quiet, wolfless shadow in the corner of h

now. F

said, his voice devoid of any emotion. "

guiding her back into the warmth and light of the party. Aunt Clara shot me a look of

y wet. I didn't feel the pain. I didn't feel the co

been bleeding my entire life. The part of me that had desperately, fo

led sounds of celebration within. They h

had no

t wasn'

e pit of my stomach. A certainty as hard a

again. I would never cry for

ey would all re