the packhou

ath the covered veranda until she was certain the gathering wolves had turned their attention elsewhere.

not e

Some seemed confused. Others looked delighted by the possibility of a mating announcement. A few older pa

kept w

er

. Her kind face held concern rather than curiosity. "

ed an

while we f

lean linen. Shelves lined the walls, filled with jars of salves, bandages, and medicinal roots. It was fa

lip and the bruising along her ri

as b

ght

ain

d heard that excuse too many times. She re

ened. "Ever

elt a disturbance. Your Alpha

my Alpha

rywhere, child. That

at her hands. "I

mate bond can be powerful. It does not

nto Seren more gent

rejected?

decision. There can be physical and emotional consequences, and the bond a

ed until I un

your own decision. But make i

dge was exactly what the pac

ounded at

ked up.

n en

nged into a dry shirt, but his hair was still da

o speak w

being

n see

you ca

he few people who could speak to Riven

ed a guard,

replied. "I di

stepping into the adjoining room. "No sh

kered towards Ser

Seren folded her arm

cuss th

ng to discuss.

her d

nded hard. Seren looked away befo

dge it. Some will assume you'll move into the Alpha's

isappoi

ot that

s for

t to parade you in front of the pack after

ack to his. "After eve

ll si

of her own mistakes. The quiet was not an apology, but

of humiliation disappear because some an

r asked

you now. They'll say the bond has a purpose, that the Moon

ned. "I can't cont

n control w

ld he

"I need time to understand what this means.

o argue. Instead, he stepped a

e time y

anything. But it was the first time he had made r

alked p

y her body noticed his distance. She hated even more that she

corridor befor

er

ed but di

efore today, the bond doesn't g

sides. "You should have un

ridor, leaving him with the tru