ed as Darius's words

. Not pity.

" she whispered aga

idn't waver. "Not

m, wanted to tell him she wasn't some prize to be claimed. But her wolf st

ttered, forcing her voice steady. "In t

. "And yet here you ar

t, she might have been ripped apart by rogues before morning.

who tossed you aside in front of your pack?" His voice dropped, sharp and merciless

t deeper than claws because t

? Fine. But freedom without strength is a slow death. Tha

er ribs. Every movement he made carried dominance, a weight press

me?" she asked finall

ned into her

ed. "A...

rate. "Walk into the night, back to a pack that doesn't want you, or

belief. He meant it. H

remain here, under my roof, under my protection. My pack will

room suddenly felt too sm

oed, her voice s

s. Mine. Not as a mate,yet. Not as a Luna,yet. But you w

ssion, desperate for some sign of softness,

whispered

stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Because the moon doesn't waste her gifts. If Kael was blin

strong. I couldn't even," Her throat closed, t

given. It's made. And I can make yo

oke as though it were already truth, as thoug

between fear and a flicke

dn't trust h

know you," s

not Kael. You know I did not leave you to die in the d

s hit too close, tearing open

d, her voice shaking. "He was m

less. "Yes. And tell me, Selene, do you still want to crawl back

t and angry. Tears pricked her eyes, but s

, sharper this time.

n them, heavy and suffocating. Freedom in

's min

they had turned their backs on her, even if Kael had r

n't have to wonder what aw

p at him. "If I stay," she said ca

ou. Break you, if I must, until you discover the wolf you were meant to be.

ipped. Bond.

my mate,"

he moon's design. But bonds are not only made by fa

caught at the we

ed mate. He was claiming her as

aced. This

it feel like to be chosen, even without the strings of

d, lowering her gaze

Darius said simply. "But you won

st ache. He wasn't threatening

scream, to rage at the unfairness of it all. Bu

ve me no

over her bed. "No. I've given you a choi

nk deep. And

by the crackle of the fire. Selene's che

whispered,

but his eyes flashed with something

felt like she had just signe

de whispered: You've surviv

illing the room like thunder waiting to b

owned. "B

burned into her.

lse qu

rd held both pr

deny the flicker of something else. For the first

ove. Not

possi

he left the room, staring at

belonged to Kael. No longer the

omething

ing da

choice she had made tonight would set

my Alpha had cl

uld not l