The Forsaken Luna's Rise To The Crown

re Gu

felt like a shard of

metallic, spilled past my lips, staining the pristine snow a sickening crimson. I was propped a

re clos

d in the snow, a slow, de

contrast to the winter landscape, his handsome face a mask of chilling indifference. The

oody whisper, torn from

g over me not with concern, but with the detached

Stonecrest Pack," he said, his voice smooth as polis

e who had sworn to support my father? My mind reeled, refusing to

that I once loved on him now smelled of decay. "Your innocence," he mur

as no love in his touch, only a sick, possessive ownership. Thi

ers twitched, searching for the small silver dagger I always kept hid

n an iron grip before

trying to play warrior." He twisted my wrist, and a sharp pain lanc

im, one of his men raised a bow. The arrowhead gli

eeks. "I curse you," I sobbed, the words bubbling up with bloo

hem. The last of my pack's loyal warriors, my

face contorted in annoyance. That single mom

shoulder-not my heart. Pain exploded through my body, white-hot and bl

die tha

of our territory. A Stonecrest guard-the same one who had tackled Everet-had dragged

ws, as my father was publicly executed for treason, as my mother faded into a ghost of grief, as our pack's lands were carved up like a carcass among the vultur

zen riverbed. This time, he didn't bother with an arrow. He looked me in

failure. I had survived three years of hell and accomplished nothing. My

only d

less, si

f the abyss. It was like being pulled from underwater, a d

ing and warm, f

om my lungs. I was choking, not on

ic, hammering beat of my own heart against my ribs. The fabr

my mind struggl

minating dust motes dancing in the air. The walls were a familiar, soft blue. On the wall op

vender and honey, my m

my legs trembling, and

rief or betrayal. My eyes, the same icy blue, were wide with shock, not yet hardened by loss

d my che

real, blossomed

ot the afterlife. I have been

the door. "Elenore, darling, are you ready

mot

ta Vance first mocked my weakness in front of the crowd, and Everet Cantu first wrap

reflection stared back, and in those young, inn

clearly-strong, steady

p. T

, fate handing me a second c

rsaken me; she has granted

ger need naivety, nor

crushed my home-this time, I