nora

rtless and blinding moonlight. The moonlight was warm on m

creating a tense standoff in the small clearing outside the hidden entrance. A few other pack mem

ely by a neatly dressed and perfectly composed Alpha C

ugh shades of white and r

to him, my steps even and measured. I stopped a foot

ar and loud enough for everyone to hear

ced into this by the omega he had so publicly discarded-it w

h me," he growled, h

ous voice drifted from behind me. "Is she pus

ore settling on me. His tone was conversational, as if discussing the weather. "Tell me, Doctor, what is th

my part. "I'm not familiar with that par

ightly, though his eyes were chips of ice. "Ban

angled cry. The blood drained from Julian's face, leaving it a pas

g with the ancient, formal language of our people. "I, Eleonora C

jaw working. The internal battl

hesit

aps my request is too much to ask. If he is unwilling, then pleas

eigned retreat that backed hi

pproval. He turned his full,

two choices. Say the words, right here, right now. Or my guards

step forward, his hand resting on the hilt of the la

new he h

He looked at me, and the words were dragged fr

reject you, Eleonor

onizing pain ripped through my very soul. This was the price of the rejection, the severing of

swam. But I would not fall.

ce trembling but clear. "I, Eleon

hereal thread conn

rickle of blood appeared at the corner of h

sion going dark. Just as my legs gave out, a strong arm

nst a solid

ody a firm anchor in a sea of pain, shiel