lla

before. He crossed the terrace in three long

gged lungfuls of the icy air. My throat was on fire, and I

ilk dress rustling. But she didn't co

oice a harsh whisper. "The entire pack is

had just been nearly strangled to death. It w

e still contorted with rage. "That bitc

oom. Now," Declan commanded,

licated mess of disgust, embarrassment, and a flicker of something

to help me up. But I pushed myself off the balustrade,

mid-air, an awkwar

in my neck. I looked at the woman who gave me life but

r and cold, cutting th

ing, Mrs.

iced through the charade of family, severing the las

e, shocked into silence. This was not th

skin of my neck. Then I met her eyes again. "As

iberately excluding myself f

ise that was already darkening. His brow furrowed, and for the fi

g horror as she stared at the marks. She turned t

his jaw tight. He looke

study nearby. Livia followed us in, shutting the doo

d poured a glass of water, his mov

water. I didn't want their pity.

he wore so poorly. Her tone was soft, placating. "Estella, darling, I know yo

fted neatly back onto me. Th

y lips. "So that gives h

tammered, her excuse soundin

ay eyes hard as granite. He was done with t

" he said, the words not a suggestion, but an Alpha's decree t

s hang in the a

Yara. After the proposal, you will go up on

e filling the small room, his voic

, I will personally drive you back to Crestwood tonight

le

hed, and my carefully constructed walls of ice began

sing on it with