assian, my Alpha, my mate, standing by the stone fireplace with Minaj beside him, her hand softly

curling into his sleeve made my chest tense, even though the sound should have been comfort

e, and as I glanced around, I saw a younger pack m

d feigned a grin. "No, Lan

remaining on Cassian and a tenderness in them that I had thought was just for me. Ignoring her lingering glances, Cassia

he future when duties and titles separated us, Minaj had always been near us. I had always had complete faith in her. But lately, whenever she was with Cassian, her

ed, yet there was something chilly and unsaid between us. My feet felt heavy and anchored to the ground as he gesture

m and warm, there was a little hesitancy in it. Just now, Minaj told me about the training session

o looked at me with a cheerful, carefre

had meant when I asked. That's amazing, Minaj.

ing." Cassian is only being courteous. I must have looked like a complete dis

the younger wolves, you have been a huge assistance. They

ess fondness he now showed Minaj, nor had he praised me in such a manner in a long time. I made an effort to dismiss the idea, telling

reparations for tonight." Cassian held my hand for a

iki, wait." "Are you okay? Y

rin. "I'm all right.

t none of us seemed to be able to answer, Cassian nodded. I turned before

ell; there was a faint sense of deli

-

d the stone walls that had been worn smooth by years of use. In the hopes that it might calm the rac

er eyes were filled with an unidentified emotion. I knew I should not have been bothered by it.

mit because of the way she suddenly stared at

ed up, I saw a pack elder standing in front of me with a kin

skirts, and said, "Oh, I'm s

he nodded. "You haven't spoken much recently. The pack is

"I'm grateful, Elder. I'l

ead slightly and walked away. They saw that I was not there. All of Cassian's warmth a

-

ded and giggled, I could feel Cassian's pride growing at my side. He put his arm around my waist and smiled, but his thoughts appeared to be elsewh

grin softened as he glanced down at me. "Co

y be just another unmet promise. Even with his arm around me, I could feel m

t air calm the pain in my body as I stepped outside into the garden. My time alone was brief, however, as I heard g

lmost worried voice. "Are you oka

nd feigned a grin. "I'm all righ

in you must experience. You always manage it so elegantly. There was an undertone of sympathy in her words that

on in the pack and her intimacy with Cassian, the way she said i

ning a steady tone and a grin. "How

"Oh, Niki, it's not sympathy. You have my respect. I always

seeping into my bones as she went back into the corridor. A k

ething I wasn't sure I would ever get back, as I gazed up at the full moon. I