Vanc

ystals. The owner, an older she-wolf named Martha Shaw, greeted Ryker and Se

hind them like a shadow. She pau

ngly firm. "This is Elara Vance," she announced to Martha

of deep sympathy. "Oh, the dear girl. What a good chil

llowing a step behind her like a devoted shadow. They looked like any other couple in love,

and held it up against herself in front of a floor-to-ceiling m

eflected in the mirror. He was staring at m

" he answered, h

frigid chill entered her gaze. She turned, thrusting the heavy dress into my

r. The fabric was cold and heavy, like a shroud. I

Luna," I managed to say, my vo

e me hold the dress, made me pass judgment. Every touch of the fa

furrowed into a deep line. But he said n

ld you take these to the fitting rooms for me?" she asked,

their combined weight making me stagger sligh

ice said from beside me.

ouch would burn me, taking

day. I made sure mine were as cold and empty as a w

ll I erected between us,

e flash of hurt in his eyes, the pa

my back ramrod straight. I walked into the spacious f

athetic, and surrounded by the symbols of his unio

d of defeat. Its mate was choosing anot

f, taking a deep, shaky b

. She swept into the largest fitting room, and just befo

t here. I'll cal

future sister-in-law, but

bride. Outside, me. I leaned my head back against the cool, unforgiving wall and closed my eyes.