02: A MATE

AN

r breath still shallow from exhaustion, but I barely noticed. My wolf prowled beneath my skin, unsettled, still thrumming with th

mbat, for the reckless abandon of the nig

always lingered around it. My grandmother and my brother, Xander, sat locked in a hushed but heated discussion. I

to my room, when my grandmother's voice

ander? You disgrace this fami

underlying challenge in her tone, but I forced my ex

d so with an iron fist. Since childhood, she had tried to mold me into something I wasn't-a leader, a statesman,

declared, her voice like steel

the growl in my chest betrayed my irr

ed, prepared to lead. I sometimes wish he was heir instead. And yo

ing better than to challenge my grandmother. I

n't even have to say anything to gloat. His entire

et you squander your birthright? You're my grandson, and this pack is my le

my neck. "Sounds like you've alre

esn't need to pick. We all know you'd rathe

because the tail I chase is more interestin

le in his jaw twitched, and

oo

pcoming mating ceremony, he was set to take everything: the title, the

ow-burning fury, that this

ng to let him win?" My voice was quiet

where she wanted me. "Prove to me you dese

y through my nose

But if she thought I would roll over and le

my voice venomous. "I'll find someone w

ime. "What's your plan, Xander? Mate with the f

ded more t

ded a

en from the Moon Goddess herse

ma

t any ex

laimed before everything fell apart in the mo

was burned i

ek of marking another behind her back, of breaking their bond before it had fully formed. The council had sided with Xan

rased her fro

til

my side sent a dark thrill through me. Derek wouldn't see

a trace, leaving behind no scent, no ties, no way to track h

g as the deadline loomed closer. The

yptic

for an undergr

ut something about it tugged at my instincts

t, blood, and raw aggression hung heavy in the air. The crowd roared as fighte

paying attention-until the next

or swun

rything

st-wild, untamed, laced with

I sa

ma

o longer the broken, betrayed she-wolf who had once

different. Str

ts cast sharp shadows across her features, highlighting the silver fir

ed onto mine a

lips-dangerous as she spa

't here b

a reason. The Moon Godd

my life, I wasn't sure if I