e, stood motionless, their faces carved

me-it wasn't disappointment or

stain that marred

Montgomery and landed on me. His jaw twitche

Talia's hand, and the longer he held

econd of that grip stol

d suddenly, his voice quiet but sharp enou

crashed into me with brutal for

k away. I wouldn't. Not even as agony c

lling the tears not to fall, though th

gathered, forming a glis

, this time louder, clearer-each word sa

e sound of his rejection pla

elf into my soul, branding me with the re

my chest became unbearable, and swallowing

he room, desperate for someone-any

looked at me with compassion.

ly, devasta

n. It was suffocating,

as mirrored by the numbnes

sh and blood-and found nothing. No anger.

ndifferent to the fact that their daughter

Duskwind Pack, shoul

d fierce protection of his fa

most relieved, as though

ne him a favor by choo

like I was being dragged down into a bottomless

ore, watching me sink deeper and

't going

accept y

ver

the words now playing on a loop in

ldn't-reject their

for a reason. Surely he didn't

ooked up, searching his eyes for h

thing. But instead of remorse o

l. Worthless. His expression was unread

ause he loved me. But because

ybe he would've done the same to anyone, no

thought offere

I was Kaia. His mate. And he

r awakened that no matter who it was, h

pleaded. I

bond. Don't throw it away. Please, don't do this," I begged,

for him through the tears now

tousled in that familiar way from running his fingers thr

m, but he yanked it back

ed down at me, the revulsio

ween us, shielding Talia, who hadn't s

I saw her grip tighten on Ronan

ing yourself. Out of respect for Talia, I'll ig

harder than an

e wasn't sparing me from shame o

ne he wanted to prote

t of concern for my feelings-but because he didn't want