hea

ding on too tightly

d breathing and the heavy thud of their boots. The dim wall sconces cast long, flickering shadows on the walls, making the portraits of past Alphas lo

owering wooden doors t

nched, squinting against the glare of the massive cr

ll was

inest attire. Elders in their ceremonial robes, warriors in their crisp uniforms

ers and looks of contempt. I was a

tened my spine, wrenching my arms from the guards' grasp. They let me go

ano

malicious smirk was painted on her perfectly made-up face. As I pas

crowd gasped, a collective sound of cruel delight. I threw my hands out, catching myself just

at her," she jeered to her friends. "She's crawl

ents deliberate and calm. Then, I lifted my head and met her gaze. My eyes felt lik

nd she took an involuntary half-step back, as if she'd

e raised dais at the front of the room, striking a cerem

et instantly. Eve

ooked regal, powerful, and completely healed. There was no sign of the deathly wound I had poured m

looking down at me. There was no gratitude in his

lpha command that vibrated in the very air. He bega

on, Alpha of the

e to meet the standards of a Luna, of severing the bond the Moon Goddess had su

s and produced a single, polished silver coin. It was etch

is wrist, he toss

heavy silence. It landed on the marble floor with a sharp c

ed in the vast

on. I was supposed to bend down, pick up the coin, and accept m

eaming with cold promise on t

t a smile. It was a snarl. A cold smirk that felt foreign and

fluid. My fingers closed a

straigh

m around, putting every ounce of my fury

msy toss; it was a projectile, a silv

ue, covering the distan

on the cheekbone w

g to his face. A thin line of red appeared on his p

h the hall. The Elders shot to their feet,

assaulted t

t fel