a P

sounded like a gunshot in the silent room. Kaelen s

ously low. "This is my room. My pr

as nothing. He moved further into the space, his presence sucking all the air out. He sat

g a rogue-a lone wolf without a pack. He described the cold, the hunger, the constant fear. He pa

nt. "She is a part of me, Aria. Like my ow

onor my commitment to you, to this pack. I will do anything you ask of me. But

nd. A true Alpha's mate is his entire world, his equal, the other half of his sou

ongue, his head tilted slightly. A cal

minutes, leaving a small gift box on my nightstand. Inside, I kne

h all my strength, into the wastebask

joyous of my life. It was the day I would come of age, the day I would be offi

t evening. As I was getting ready, a messenger from the Onyx Fa

gs, and a bracelet, all made of deep, fiery pigeon-blood rub

sked me to deliver a message: 'Blue diamonds are cold and distant.

ps. I put on the rubies. Their weight was substantial, their fire a we

ly into Lyra. Her eyes immediately locked onto the ruby n

voice dripping with false sweetness.

aelen-brother wanted you to see

r of the Moon Goddess" sparkling at her throat. Her goal was obvious: to push me over the edge, to make me caus

d to see