hea

hold of the hall when I heard

to

nce, a wave of desperate, hate-filled energy surging toward me from behind. She stepped in front of

ght now." Her voice was commanding, yet there was a tremor beneath it. She k

lowly reached into the pocket of my worn trousers, my fingers closing around the small, leath

my pocket, grippin

aid, my v

ed with rage.

r it. One year. I have worked as the pack's private healer for one year, treating yo

y of my request had rendered her mute. She, the

have the right to bargai

nothing about treating silver poisoning. Without me, he will not survive until morn

tering with impotent rage, I stepped around her and con

ne stairs, into the damp, cold depths of the pack house. The air sm

windowless cell I shared with three other girls. It was cra

ed together, her knuckles white. The moment I e

ht?" She rushed forward and threw her arm

I had felt all night. "I'm fine, Maya," I whisp

usty canvas bag. Unzipping it, I began to stuff my few belongings inside -

of relief and heartbreak. "Good," she whis

I could barely hear her. "There is something y

and clutching

ew weeks ago, I was cleaning near the Alpha's office when the door was open. I hea

cold. I slowly s

oice. "Sunstone paid him a fortune. Enough to fund his resear

. My fingers tightened, the fabric squeakin

o

y, a sacrifice to repay the debt of raising me. I had hated it, but I had accepte

hot, but a cold, all-consuming rage. It burned away the last

ished packing my bag meticulously, my movements now crisp and efficient. I

houlder and turned to Maya. I h

hair. "Take care of yourself. I

d the door, my purpose clear. I

g to colle