. Tonight's gathering was meant to be a night of bonding, a time for the

ene leaned forward, her voice sharp with determination. "Ton

Lina, Mira, and Cass

o please Serene, grin

yone. She's already an outcast, but after tonight,

leamed. "How

ne's watching. I'll make sure she's at the center of a

interrupted. "I'll mak

rinned.

et Ove

had been nearby. She hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but

nded. She had

heading straight for the training groun

se called b

ed. "What

rene is planning something against Samantha tonight. She a

nched. "That gi

ghtened. "We ha

itting nearby, overheard

lanning to embarrass you i

deepened. "She

rious? Serene lives to m

. "She's my sister. I d

shoulder. "Samantha, you

. "I don't want

ne. We won't fight back. B

therin

ered in the middle, casting warm light over the young wolves. Samantha a

ntha standing near the fire. S

lf near Samantha, waitin

Derek

ing with Cassius by his side. His sharp golden eyes scanned

a in front of Derek might not be a great idea. But Serene gav

ryone! Let's hear a speech from

rowd. Samantha's face flushed

ve. He stepped forward, pretending to pass

k St

d stumble, a strong

protectively beside her. His grip was firm bu

asked, his voice low b

d by his sudden intervent

o Cassius, his expression dar

ated. "It was

n't waver. "You

ts. This wasn't part of the plan

epping toward him. "It's noth

attention was still on Samantha,

ifted awkw

finish, Alex mov

yanked him forward, causing hi

ashed onto

the clearing before bur

et, humiliated and furious

. "If anyone here deserves to be embarrassed,

ped to him. "You al

ecause she's not the on

s face

amantha ste

life, she lifted her chi

rene," Samantha said, her voice ste

ds cut through her sh

ge, something flickering

d with rage. Somethi

et this," sh

d and disappear

nish into the darkness, a str

ime, she had tr

irst time, sh

wasn'

ng had

far worse