a's

ent in the early hours, were filled with murmuring and shuffling feet. I didn't want to come out of my roo

here he'd laid his palm on my waist. Every night he came to me-touching, talking, ea

d opened it to see Mira, my friend and the only person who hadn

ining hall," she whispered

Wh

waiting. The Alpha ha

ckhouse increasing louder with every footfall. Wolves

crossed over his chest. He looked the same-flawless, poised, unsh

oice. "I have an

len

ed Mira'

g my engagement to Luna Leo

e ha

truck like a silver dagger by the word Leona. I blinked, waiting for him to s

n't falter. He didn't

red, "I'm s

uldn't move. My leg

masking their astonishment with hollow smiles. I turned back to

hy

ight, claim me so entirely, only

ed freely now, not from sadness alone-but bewilderment, betrayal, and t

night. I foolishly waited for

it

y shadows like he belonged there. I sat up in bed

re eng

for me. "Don't think

can I

neck. "Because I'

t better, but it simpl

the eyes of the pack, I was no one. I hated how my body still

han a secret? A yearn

him away once, only for him to return more frantic than befor

ed to notice. I

t side stares. Conversations halted as I entered a room.

have someth

her? She's not eve

ably using w

but my heart screams e

their cruelty. But she couldn't stop the murmurs

hed in the dark-but refu

lder Calista, I walked farther into the east wing of th

eard voices behi

r's v

gainst the stone wa

e full terms," he replied, hi

e you sure about this, Alpha? Once the Silverbloods

e. Aura is a distrac

eath c

t her off before

then Ryder murmured, "

ld hear more. My vision dimmed, wrath and

strac

erful little pastime. Something t

ds, the moonlight cutting through the branches. I didn't shift. I

ut worst of all, I couldn't stop wi

. Every sin

nged to him, still held me like

I saw him now. I knew the truth and

hrough the packhouse. Even Mira fou

eing sick. I barely made it to the bathroom before re

ok. My heart

at somet

t myself. My skin was pal

tomach-not from sicknes

couldn

ping. I snuggled under the covers an

ng wasn'

.. I understood e