a P

is face a thunderous mask of hum

. A misunderstanding. The ritual will continue. Next, will

o had coasted through life on my father's name. He swaggered forward, a

is shoulder into mine. He leaned in, his v

sister'? You're cursed. Everyone knows

her children years ago, that my bloodline carried a taint that weakened any Alpha I was paire

hat lie had follow

n my veins t

ndant. It held goblets of warmed, spiced wine for the ritual.

smirk widened. He turned his bac

his final

motion, I s

let shattered a

ed wine, heated for the ceremony, soaked through his fine silk

into the air, howli

lence. To commit an act of violence du

and ran to her son. "Esley! My baby! Alea Whi

ard had sliced my palm open, and blood drippe

mbling, bloody

were brave enough to whisper it in my ear. Be brave enough to say it before the Elder

ll wen

ted with pain and

with me is doomed. That is not an insult against one woman. Tha

the crowd. The shift wa

and Clara Coleman White. If I am cursed by birth, then you are claiming the White line is tainted. You are claiming the Coleman

ace changed. So

nder Pack law, a charge against the ruling bloodline must be sup

opened, but no

e Elder who recorded it. Name the sacred test that proved it. Or adm

face we

y. "This is absurd! He is hurt. He d

r me," I said coldly. "He can

s and still kept your betrothal when my mother's estates, my dowry, and White Pack influence benefi

jaw c

ars losing access to power and calls the woman he cannot contro

the faces around me: not blind agree

front murmured, "There was nev

but audible, "I only ever he

d my cousin the same thing last winter. S

vague gossip, but names, source

shifting. The po

ms, was still screaming. "Mother!

son united in their vileness, a

my blee

e of Pack law. "You have insulted the main bloodline of the White Pack.

oed in the c

ou are no longer kin to m

f Elois Mercado. You have no claim,

. In the middle of the Lineage Ritual, before the Elders and the

red at me, their fa