I

felt was the sti

e sunlight poured through the tiny cracks in the wooden wall,

was sti

ce breathe around me. Memories from yesterday scattered across my mind-sharp,

ed scream o

gue's

ing without

pulse rushing

n't feel like mine

appene

ould still feel the energy-whatever it was-lingerin

staring up at the

ial. No rank. No power. That was

how

I have d

waking

further, a soft knock came at the

stepped inside. A slave. She kept her ga

was told to say... tod

ome. I finally pulled myself out

understand. I ignored it, slipping into

A formal gathering, something sacred to the pack. I had planned to avoid it, to stay un

he crowd had already gathered. Wolves from every corner of the pack-dr

had been prepared for the Luna-, hoping to blend in. My heart beat a little faster-not fr

n I not

ously like the others-no. She walked like the ground knew her steps and the wind bent to her will.

know wh

meone whisper her name-Liv

elding. Then it settled on me-cool, distant, challengin

turned away like I wasn't

to my skin like stati

eemed to notice her like I did.

re

eadable as always, but I caught the brief flicke

ure who he was

said. Vows repeated. Applause echoed across the squa

sitting on the edge of the bed with m

was

gaze feel li

se the chill away. Maybe I was just being paranoid

self, but the silence in the room felt to

ot up

fresh air

d the balcony, breathing in the cool night breeze. T

someone stepping out fro

igure. The way she

trying to place the

en it

e

. That same poised presence

. Li

ng out of Lor

atched her, still wondering what

ediately, Lorenzo st

ide, voices low, shou

n't hea

idn't n

wisted something

she...

ke I was a threat... now leaving the A

ving, I understood--I wasn't