ra'

iage shook on the uneven route. I tried not to cry as I looked at the

from me said, "Move," and

had treated me like trash, but now? This was awful. I wa

feet scraped the gravel walkway as two soldiers pulled me out. A tall

snarled, "Welcome

sounded like

o my knees. I didn't scream even though my palms scraped

laughed and remarked, "You'll get used to i

brought me through the gates. My breathing became shallow as my heart raced

etting away were constantly on my mind, but the guards on either side of

object by the Lycan Pa

or. Like a burdensome weight, the quiet weighed heavily on me. Even

opened once more. A man entered, his presenc

see right through me, and he was tall

call Amara," he replie

n't a

king his head. "The crescent mark," he said

ist to my che

ower of his order a

mark. He reached out, his fingers gr

rked. "Are you aware o

headsha

, don't tell me lies. If it wasn't significant, the Lyca

had it all my life, but nobody e

p back, his face serious. Intrigui

for from me?" My voi

ark holds the secret to something precious. And you're staying rig

s looked at the fire crackling in the hearth. His

d have been relieved that she was gone.

e waned, but it hadn't. It appeared

s face covered in tears, her terrified eyes

whispered to himself, "No." "This isn't true.

r terror was palpable to him, jus

out from the

" he s

elders wanted to let you know that the deal with Vikto

clenched his fists. "All righ

ue respect, Alpha, Viktor is no

arius's voice boomed throug

or departed, shutting

te link would not let him sleep, no matter how hard he tried to

room that Viktor had tossed me into. Why was the mark

e he found it out, or before he th

uld break the glass, but the door was locked. As I looked

on the bed frame. With trembling hands, I too

th a soft crack. When there was none, I ascended and

from the bitter night air. I knew I had to keep

t an end

ed when I heard

d as I forced myself to go faste

to the ground. I kicked and clawed whi

face icy and angry. "You truly

me a break. I will never

voice was low and threatening as he replied, "Amara,