rained on data t

ep, she made a promise that she could barely kept. Facing Damian had brought to the surface

truth, out the trait

tung now, the words he spoke losing her. But she was no longer that fragile, tru

ne not a single sound it made in the moonlight. Naomi stopped at the shel

ol

losest friend. Naomi felt a twinge of rage just at the thought of h

e shadows. It wasn't long before she saw Violent silhouette at the rear of the house, sta

id, her voice taut,

a moment, there was just stunned silence. At the time, the smi

 dead." Her tone was dripping with sarcasm, yet there was a

olent. "You thought you could get away 

ys too trusting. Always too innocent. Someone needed to vacate

urface, eager to rip Violent in half for what she'd do

her voice now cooler, stronger. "You

you can just strut back in and take everything from me?

right about one thing. I'm a shadow. But it's one you won't

appeared, but this time, it felt forced. "Damian is never g

on shifted within Naomi. Her heart squeezed at that, but she

d, her eyes as cool as ice. "I'll show him everything. How you

st a little. "You're not going to do anything, Naom

rage. "Then you haven't

t, tossing it on the ground at Violet's feet. The vials within ratt

s her brain registered the contents.

" Violent stammered, the m

it. Hidden. In the Golden Ash Pack. You were careless. I know

coffed at last, allowing her posture to return to base arrogance. "You don't know any

through the air like a knife. "And I will

ical, each woman engaged in a silent exercise of strength. Naomi could taste the shi

controlled anger. "Damian will never pick you over me. I have been alon

ust a ghost. But ghosts tend to haunt the living. And t

n her heel, leaving Violent standin

p. In the quiet of the woods it seemed deafening now, each footfall ringing in her head. The wolf inside her wa

how far the woman would go. Poisoning her had been one abuse, but attemp

for this, N

. How would the pack react? Would they believe her? Damian... would he ev

into her chest. She shook it off, making her tho

ustling from the bushes nearby. She became ten

ao

iliar voice sent

anger, and something softer a glimmer of hope. She hadn't seen him in days, and the sight of him made her stomac

ere?" Naomi's voice w

ian said, his voice low and ste

eyes. "Why? To fini

"I never meant you any harm, Naomi. You have to

u let me die, Damian. You didn'

t that didn't change the fact that I loved you, Naomi. I parti

pulse racing in her ches

, her voice hardly a whisper. "And I'm not go

t. But I'll do whatever it takes to co

moment to process, her feelings a swirling mix of anger, hurt an

d she allow hers

oken by footsteps behind her. Naomi 

e shadows, a cunning sm

ting between Naomi and Damian. "Did you really thin

olent was taking her shot