aughed

stood, like I was some circus act. Ava's snort cut through the chaos like a bl

"A wolf without a mate cannot ascend the Alpha throne. Without that sacred bond, the leadership is considered uns

of si

app

l app

o sink int

aid, smiling like she'd just so

back down, shooting me a quick smir

eard the question. I hadn't even realized he was talking to me. I'd been too deep inside my own mess of

myself. Just focus. Ju

to look up when Leon spoke once-his voice low, steady, confident-or when Ava giggled at somethin

rang, and just lik

little, then grabbed my things and slipped out like smoke, hug

oing off the high walls, scent trails lingering in the air-cheap perfume, fur, hot food, and somethi

ions in the cafeteria

, future Alphas, all surrounded by their cliques, their followers. Th

o had wolves but not power. They acted like they didn't care about statu

the room, like some kind of afte

hat side of the cafeteria near the east wall was where the ones like me s

there, keepi

free. Always had been. Every Alpha who'd ruled Silver Claw had contributed to its upke

rse, not all m

and if there was dessert, we weren't touching it. Still, it was food. And I wasn't in a pos

ables-and made my way to my usual spot in the corner. Same table every day. Same seat. Tucked against the

focused on eating

, somethi

nto the seat

kin, tight curls tied up in a messy bun, big nervous

kward but genuine.

late

cking back to my tra

h and settled in. I cou

econds. "It's my first week here. J

as strict as Silver Claw. I'd heard they

ed. "S