a P

a shackle. In Pack law, a registered marriage could be challenged, investigated, even torn apart if the wrong wolf d

ther's house," I said, my vo

sion unreadable in the di

any more ammunition. A new husband showing up in a beat-up Toyota would only fuel her scorn. And if Frankie hear

e stumble. For one second, he looked less like a man being refused and more li

it wa

curb. As the taxi turned the corner, I saw him through the rear window, a solitary figure standing under the streetlight. Rain slid down t

e lights were off except for a soft glow in the living room. I used

ur

h worry. He shot to his feet the moment he saw me

d you ran off." He pulled me into a hu

a wolf, but he had never used it to frighten me. Even now, when worry sharpened his scent and made the air aro

ts. Damien had followed the cab anyway. When Leo pulled me into his arms, something ancient and violent rose behind Damien's careful human mask

y bedroom, shutting th

I whispered, my heart po

s, his grip tight. "What? To who? Did Frankie for

d. "It's... a stranger. An Uber driver. He's nobody, L

y sigh. He ran a hand through his hair. "An Uber driver?

, trying to sound more

long moment, his jaw

d. "At least, that's what

. "That means Rogue, Aura.

pproved contract," I said. "At le

ollowed by Erin's sharp voice. "Leo

ately understood, his face hardening. We stood in silence until we

safe hidden in the back of my closet. He spun the

my hand. "This is from your trust

meant for emergencies. I knew Leo hadn't touched h

y face. "No, Leo, I c

he card. "Take it. Use it to get on your feet. Just don't te

is neck, sobbing into hi

hispered, his voice thick w

y the essentials: my plainest clothes, my worn-out jeans, my art supplies. I left behind the dress

ked around the room that had been my prison for so l

ew number I'd added. Damien Montgomer

breath, I typed

. I can mo

fore I could

ater, my phone

you the address.

ighborhood on the other side of the city. Near the edge of neutral territory, far from the Glover Pack's

d the phone to my chest, listening to the rain tap against the window. For the