L

it sits heavy

three long strides. He pulled me up and in

pretending I don't hear the whispers about why the Alpha and his mate

ing the back of my head like he did when we were children and I

rmurs. "I've always g

y stop, I pull back.

r. "For not listening

. "But you need to understand something, Elena. You're not just my sister. You're Nightshade pack. You were born h

protect

u shouldn't hav

e finalized in two weeks," I

he kno

opened the gift

ace. "Letting him sign his own bond dissolution

pare

en I was fifteen. Damien had been twenty-two, forced to take o

marrying the one wolf

ay. "Vivian and her daughter

mile vanis

g Vivian for Sebastian's death, he went on that helicopte

your home to your husband'

t like that, i

e my r

ch a

trol the narrative." I meet his eyes. "And maybe lear

a long moment. "You'

survi

not an

ly one I hav

air. "You're staying here tonight. You

d get ba

an Alpha command, but it

ase bre

ka

zzes on the

said you went ou

I would have responded immediately. Rea

pe: With

ly? Are you stil

l family. The on

ear. Disappear

at's going on? You

e someone who's ti

phone before h

, I wake to the

he ease of someone who's been doing it for years. He started cooking

without turning aro

sit at the island,

ht," he says. "Your att

e b

morning of his birthday. In front of the pac

tion. Sage know

oo

them across to me. "What are you goi

travel. Focus on my

It's the one thing I kept from my life before

en says carefully. "Be our pack doctor. W

hink ab

but I can feel my b

ha

ifferent,

that

earted girl who cried when she had

oment, it's like the last

y phon

vi

er. "H

up with a fever and she's asking for you. I don't know what to do. I can't go back

an. What's her

n't let me touch her. She just

ere in thir

. Thank yo

watching me with an u

is sick,"

owe them

ything. But Mira is in

not your res

ctor. And she's a sick c

r. Before I get in, he p

ade pack. Always. If you need anythin