NOR'

r until the first rays of da

idn't look at the shattered cup on the floor. I walked

h exhaustion, but the silver-gray irises held a stillness I hadn't seen before.

and humiliation. I didn't put on one of the soft, unassuming dresses I usually wore.

ealer erased the dark circles. A neutral, dusty rose lipstick gav

t the wooden wolf charm inside but took the agreement and a heav

ent. I didn't hesitate. I didn't reread the clauses. My hand was

nor

ood. Vance

y heart was. It was the mate bond, a living thing, screaming in protest. But beneath

a clean manila envelope. I picked up my pho

e office this mo

e has meeting

ten. It's important." I didn't wa

tchen cleaned. He looked at me, his eyes filled

k," I said, my voice calm. An

towering skyscraper of glass and steel, a mon

her polite smile faltering as she

," I said, my tone leaving no room

name, not his title. She didn't stop me as I w

assandra Blackwood - Donavan's sister and Eleanor's only friend in the Pack; fiercely loyal, outspoken, and fully supportive of Ele

What are

told her. A small, sad

avy oak doors of Donavan's office, knocked once, and

s head bent over a stack of documents. He looked up when

n?" he asked,

his office, the sound of my heels clicking purposefully on

polished surface in front of him. Th

ope, then rose to my face, hi

ew he already suspected. There was a

s still and dead as a frozen lake. "I signed

ened. He snatched the envelope, pulled out the agree

es, so quick I almost missed it. But it was ther

and let out a short, sharp laugh. A sneer.

d the Pack elders," I said, ignoring his t

to

k. It was no longer amused. It

l with the elders yourself. Don't try to

r, my back to him.

I said

the door quietly behind me, lea