te, Alpha Damion, had dropped on her. And now, the scene unfolding was even more heart-wrenching. The lady Damion referred to was none other than he

te stammered, her hands tentatively r

xplain the fact that you were just marked by my mate?" He

Because I'm completely lost," Damion in

" he pressed, seeking answ

irecting her plea towards Karen. "It's not what you think, Karen. I...

have been so naive to have placed my trust in you all this while," Karen scoffed bitterly, a dry laugh escaping her lips. Despite her ou

n the hall. Karen caught sight of her father, Alpha Adam, and Trainer Marcus attempting to

aren hastily gathered the sides of her red gown, her cheeks flushed with a mix of shame and

echoed after her, but Karen paid them no heed, re

Charlotte, before he turned his attention to Damio

et. "She's merely a spoiled birthday girl who found herself in the wrong place at the wrong time.

ngers digging into her arm painfully. "Dad, you're hurt

ng in closer, he whispered something into her ear that ignited a flicker of anticipation within Charlott

ing a subtle signal that conveyed a clear message to him. Cullen, understanding the c

nced, his voice cutting through the murmurs and whispers, coaxing the crowd into silence

he castle, the murmurs of the shifters resuming once again. He cou

to be the talk of the town," he mut

***

uge from the turmoil that churned within her. Ignoring the strain in her muscles and the ac

prolonged sobbing. She could neither accept the embarrassment

tuary, a secluded spot where she collapsed in exhaustion. The turmoil in her gut twis

. Unable to contain it any longer, she let out a guttural cry of despair that echoed into the empti

d with emotion as tears streamed down her cheeks, her hazel-green eyes darkening to a storm

rom her intricately styled auburn locks and flung it a

ng it aside in a fit of anger. By her side, her loyal companion, the wolf Aria, mirrored her m

le life at the secluded cabin had been filled with its own challenges and solitude, it now seemed a sanctuary compared to the fleeting moments of

haunting echo reverberated through the air, followed by the ominous rustle of dry leaves being crushed bene

nd rose from the fallen log

t, her voice trembling slightly as she ventu

a haunting silence that sent shivers down her spine. The gentle rustle of the wind see

rt pounded in her chest as she grappled with the unsettling feeling of being watched, a sensation that prickled at the back of her neck.

manded, her gaze sweeping the darkne

assailed her senses, causing Karen to recoil in disgust

an form. The fabric of her clothes tore apart as her muscles swelled, her frame expanding and elongating. The

he low growl rumbling ominously in the air. With a sudden bu

ed the tables, launching herself at the rogue with a powerful kick from her formidable paws. The impact sent

l, she lunged forward, her razor-sharp claws sinking deep into the rogue's fur-covered chest. A pained

iping toward Karen's head in a brutal assault. Drawing on her agility and instin

and snagged it open with a savage snarl. Blood sprayed in a crimson arc

body shifted back to its human form, the moonli

he thudding of her heart drowning out the night's silence. Aiming to avoid any encounter with her s

ude. When she reached, Karen forcefully kicked open the door, looking tired and exhausted.The room was as she

she encountered tonight. While thinking, yawns of exhaustion

to bury herself under the comforting embrace of her blanket. Slowly, as the darkness of sleep crep

a shadow over her peaceful slumber and turning her dreams into nightmares. The darkness that now envelo