IE

nd suffocating. I stood trembling, the st

mixture of pity and pride. "Essie," she beg

al room anymore. It had been thrown back in time, to a sun-dre

ded with guests-the powerful Alpha families from every allied pack. It was styled like a royal we

t doll. I could feel their eyes on me-hundreds of them. Their gazes were a mixture of en

le-a silent declaration to the world that I belonged to him. The Elder droned on about the will of the Moon

und me in a secluded corner of the gardens. She fussed

low. She gripped my arm, her fingers digging into my skin

ss. They are all whispering about it. Especially

er, my heart

iberately, "the only way to solidify your place here is to g

entire worth, my future, my survival, had been reduced to the

eyes filling with desperate tears

the sterile, quiet hospital room. M

. I knew she was only trying to teach me how to survi

rned, the idea of bearing Damien's

ce was born of fear

smic joke. To carry a child for the man who had both saved and destr

ng storm. I couldn't hate him wit

a mountain pressing down on my

just Damien. I had to escape him, yes. But I a

s calm and deliberate.

but my eyes held a

he called a home. But this time, I