whisper, shaking Lyra awake. The dawn light filtering through the window

into her pillow. The world weighed too heavy

, firm in her tone. There was a quiver in her voice tha

ker of hope lighted in her chest. Maybe he had come

t hurry!" Nia urged, pulling

. The pack house seemed to be oppressively still though it was holding its breath, just waiting for som

ion and alarm. Through the gaps between them, Lyra's belly lurched. There, in the centre, was Desmo

hed, her fingers clenching on Lyra

to understand; she needed to know what was happening. But as she broke

e Alpha mantle upon him. Beside him, Isabella was the perfect Luna, her aub

ice cut through murmurs. "Tonight sealed one o

ard, her breath hitching in her throat. This coul

ly. "Oh, Desmond, let's not keep them in sus

"Yes, I have chosen my mate." He turned his gaze back to the cro

he ground ripped from beneath her, hurled into a moment of macabre disbelief.

he felt their stares like daggers, but she could not tear her gaze

rther in her heart. "You have to understand; this is for the good of the pack. Isabella is the daug

rising desperately. "What about us?

n, all that had been shattered in that one instant. The truth of it came crashing over her

ly, her hand resting possessively on his arm. "Desmond has chosen strength, Lyra," she purred, her v

gh them. Lyra felt sick, her insides twisting painfully. "I'm not just your reject

cy. "You are my former packmate. Nothing

r grew louder, the judgment of the pack echoing in her ears. The weight of their stares

ed away as she ran from the scene. Hot tears streamed down her cheeks

n't bear to look at anyone, much less the looks or the whispers.

s, catching her skin on the branches. It was nothing compared to what was insid

gged gasps. The world blurred around her as her vision clouded in a wash of tears. She p

ing so, had crushed her dreams, her ho

und reaching deep into her soul. She was lost

she had caught a beginning without a definable end. The bond she thought

park of defiance, a seed of anger that spoke of change.