Stant

ted a trembling finger at me. "Cori! You've

ed. "You have no right to take any

m. "Cori, darling, think of the Pack. Think of all the good that money could do. Surely, you don't nee

ow, steady rhythm. The clock was tick

are from the Ramirez Pack, for me. Second, I am taking Celeste's place. This is my compensation. And third, you can r

red. Antagonizing the notoriously volatile, dying Al

ster, how can you be so greedy...

he Pack relies on these funds. It's for our future, for everyone's well-being." His words w

eyes fixed on Brenda. She was the only

side, came the sound of a car engine. Th

hoice. She bit out the words to Beryl,

and hurried out of the room. Celeste's fake t

r strings had been cut. Her eyes, full of venom,

nly thing I regret is not

ld feel the hateful stares of Beryl and Celeste, bu

in a sharp suit and gold-rimmed glasses. Marc

phere but remained professional. "Mrs. Ste

me. "She wants a Pack Severance A

u certain? According to ancient werewolf law, once signed, you forfeit all protection of the Pack. Your bloo

rtain,"

oice dripping with resentment, "that all alliance gi

e looked from me to Brenda, as if to check her sanity. Brenda just clos

gan to draft the document, his fingers flying across the screen.

parchment was printed. He handed it to me. I re

ded with a shard of moonstone, to Brenda. "

she took the pen a

o me. I signed my na

gned as t

an invisible shackle around my soul snapping in two. A wave of lightness wash

ecious agreement and tuck

low hiss. "Now, you can go complete your '

, a calm, dignified older man in a black suit was waiting pa

nod. "Mr. Winston. T

ect, his eyes flicking for a moment to the scene