WELCH

study, making the maps rattle. "Rogues on the

her arms crossed. "Your father always s

out there, leading the patrol. Instead, I was stuck here, dea

ke the worry. Then my thoughts drifted to Allegra. The way she had looked at me in the kitchen. That cool, condescending smile. It wa

y thoughts. "Carson, we need to

alk about. She stays,"

ou saw her, Carson. She's not t

. "She's an Omega. They're emotional. She

my mother countered, her voice shar

is told," I said.

you have any idea what that woman has done for this pack? Do you know who

he pack has i

tate was nearly bankrupt. Allegra's dowry--her personal fortune--is what has kept this place running for five

her. "That's

keep treating her like a servant instead of your Lu

not known. I had never asked. I had assumed the pack was fi

was holding a ledger. She stopped when she saw

rmal. "I was just bringing the week

her tone warm. I scowled. My mothe

her--rain and wildflowers--was faint, but it still pulled at something in m

uptly, deciding to force the

tatus? She is your guest. The mothe

title. Protection. People will talk. She n

her voice dangerously soft. "The Moon Goddess gave you o

and I both know this was never about love." The wo

? Or is it about guilt over a battlefield mistake?" she

oared, my Alpha power flaring in

een us. "Carson, stop

If you want her to have a title, you'll have to go through the formal Rejection ceremony. It is the only way to sever a mate bond. Deno

tion would be a political disaster.

n't dare,"

" she wh

cking. She stumbled back, her hand flyin

lunged forward, but I was too slow.

es beside her. Allegra was there an insta

, her hand on Eleanor's forehead

rms. "Get the doctor!" I yell

doctor can handle injuries, but this is a matriarch's collapse. It's a

er, my mind r

yes locking with mine. "We have

in a decade and who despised me. This was impossible. But looking at my mother's gray face, I