ine

umbled. A wave of profound exhaustion washed over me, and I collapsed

gs up and gently placed a cool, damp cloth on my forehead. A moment later, she return

my hands. I closed my eyes, trying to force my racing heart to slow, but my min

death. There was another piece, another critical domin

the Stormfang Pack. In my dream, she had died not long after the massacre at Wolfpine Pass. Her old illn

. It plunged Axel into complete isolation, leaving him with

re herb: a thousand-year-old Moonpetal Root. But in the dream's timeline, the only root to appear for auction in

ped open. Th

en is the private auction for the th

k. "It's scheduled for tonight, Miss. The auction only opens for

aos, but now every detail clicked into place. The auctio

harp, resolute surge of ener

reet aide, stood before me. He was a steady, middle-aged Bet

, I have a task for you. It is of the utmost impo

ssion serious. "Of c

-year-old Moonpetal Root is up for private auction tonight. I need y

oot, Miss? That's the stuff of legends. The cost will

nsufficient, liquidate the assets from my mother's dowry. Just get it done. And no one," I a

aphina knew I was trying to help the Boyles,

y eyes and bowed his head. "As you wis

s, her face pale with anxiety. "Mi

orange and blood. "Rose, if money can buy us a powerful, unbreakable alliance

l Boyle. It was a clear, unequivocal statement that the Blackwood Pack's supp

uture, and by extension, an i

chamber, his posture relaxed and triumphant. He knelt before me, lowering his voice respectfully. "Miss, the deed is done. We have successfully secured the thousand-year-old Moonpetal Root. The Kens

the doomed future had been accomplished. The fatal domino in my nightma

bone-deep weariness to claim me. I leaned back against the cushions, a dry cou

n't be a gesture of charity. A man as proud as Axel would be infuriated by any hint of pity. It had to be done pe

my chamber was suddenly broken by a

s scurried into the room, her face flus

er daughter, Miss Louisa, are here. T

o snatch Maeve Boyle's only chance of survival last night. They had come to call, just one day after t