ngers over the trees as if nature itself sensed something terrible was about to unfold. Serene stood at the edge of the gathering grounds, her arms crosse

to keep the tremor out of his voice. "T

ly way. Samantha outlived her welcome. She's already taken everything fro

odded. It was too late to ba

awn to the sacred supply chambers near the cliffside where the pack stored their winter food and precious medi

uttered, eyes wide. "

s soaked and useless. Pouches of herbs were torn open, their contents scattered like leaves. A potent t

barked. "Someone has attacke

ed from the shadows with two warriors

s Sam

as she stumbled into the clearing, forced to her knees in front of the mess. She didn

ccusing finger at her. "I caught her in the

twisting in their grip. "Th

ieve it either," Serene said, stepping forward with wide, tear-filled eyes. "But I sa

bling perfectly. "She's always resented this pack. Maybe she thought she did

g her nose. The glint of satisfaction i

fighting the guards' grip. "P

len

wing the space around him. His golden eyes blazed with fury as he looked down at the girl before him

way. The silence was wo

ned and gestured toward the

he walls, elders sat in their carved stone seats, and the murmurs of judgment echoed through the cold spa

sius, her expression now the

, her voice barely more than a whisper. "But

urs grew

ie

chamber. His hair was disheveled, his face

Serene

been trying to ruin her si

r. She's kind, loyal, and brave. She'd never hurt t

" Elder Myron asked, hi

tered. "N

"Then your word

gue, Alex and Ronan s

s been training with us. Preparing herself to pr

ne hated her from the beginning. She

fact. The supplies were destroyed. Wolfbane was used. Samantha was found at the sce

bling. "Please, Alpha. Y

d flatly. "Prove your innocen

The word clung to Sam

nging from the ceiling and cold stone at her back. The guards stationed outside

ears brimming in her eyes. How could this happ

to hear another word from him. Alex was already tearing through the forest lookin

ene stood beside Cassius, her fa

any proof," Ca

e replied coolly. "By tomorrow, she'll be g

had seen what happened near the supply chamber

just started running