Thorn

he forest swallowed me whole, hiding me from any prying eyes. The moment I

ainful gasps. The adrenaline that had fueled my defiance drained away, leavin

ating Mark. It was still burning, a constant, a

d, her earlier rage now a wounded cr

barely eighteen, seeing Ryker for the first time. The world had tilted on its axis. The air had crackled with an energy I now kne

ight, echoed in the ruins of my heart. "You are my

steps crunching on the forest

ke

erous mask of fury. Faye, thankfully, wa

g grip. "How dare you embarrass me in front of

ubbling up from my chest. "Your pack? I believe it's *our*

ime, I saw nothing of the man I loved. There was no wa

ering and flaunted her in my face! You speak to me of embarr

ickly morphed into defensive anger. "Faye needed me! She's be

y tongue. "You want me to show compassio

tense negotiations with rival packs to secure our borders. The hours spent comforting grieving families. The jagged scar on

ng the southern border for us, where were you, Ryker? You were

ing our warriors back to health after th

my body, my soul! What has she given you besides whis

r, and I was twisting

se it was all true. He had no defense against my record, against my ded

olitical partner," he said, his voice flat

politica

, shattering the last fragile remnants of my hope. Th

filled my mouth. The w

t-crossed his face, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. He

. You will continue to be the Luna, and you wil

, to accept this monstrous arrangement.

face, and the last ember of love in my heart di

se it had become numbness. She slowly shook her head, her voice a mere whisper, "An order? You h