er

invited" to Meredith's

furniture, smelling faintly of potpourri and power. Victoria and Blake

iff-backed chair opposite

aight, my hands fol

y teeth ache. "We want you to understand that Chace's decision, while difficult, is truly for

pack's protection, a wolfless girl on her own... well, things can

as left of them, were scattered and struggling.

n was soft, her touch cloying. "Eller, please," she pleaded, her voice a breathy whisper. "

y heart hammered against my ribs. But on the surface, I allowed a flicker of pa

glove coming off. "You don't have long to consider. The Alpha will be making the official

ooked down at my lap. I let the silence s

ting Meredith's gaze. I g

spered, letting my voice c

room was almost audible. They had w

gned me, my steps measured, my head held high

f fragilit

ng air. Below, the vast, manicured lawns of the Johnston estate stretched out into the

I dialed the only number stored in

s a low rumble, laced wit

on that churned inside me. I recounted the events of the a

hen I heard it-a muffled roar of fury, followed by the dis

commanding. "Calm down. I need yo

over the line. "What plan? Eller, you

rst, I need you to start moving all my liquid assets. Everything in my personal accounts. I

everything went wrong, it was the only thi

tly. His loyalty was absolute. "What'

filling my lungs. I watched a lon

ecome Edmund Jo

n cut. Briar was a man who had faced down rogue alphas and assassins

aged to say, his voice barely

Chace's subordinate, I'm nothing. Powerless. But as Edmund's widow... I become the Luna of the main fam

oice, mixed with awe and terror.

nd on Edmund Johnston. Every detail about his death six months ago. His service records, his personal

his voice now firm, resol

I replied, and

my knees feel weak. But as I stood there, silhouetted