lett

chest. Not everything-not the crushing weight of heartbreak, betrayal, and isolation-but enough. Enough to breathe again. Enough to rem

didn't matter if she had Alexander wrapped around her finger or if th

re Ruby. I sat up slowly in bed, my thoughts spiraling out of contro

rgotten

eriously. I forgot the wolf who had howled under blood moons and stood defiant against older, stronger males. I

tten my fri

o he was. He took everything I ha

speak to her brother on my behalf. Until then, I needed

food; I had too many things going on in my head. She didn't speak much, only giving me a look that said she understood with

hand on my shoulder. "You'll need strengt

ister-in-arms. I picked up the fork and forced down

him," I

" she sa

pect the so

ng air sweeping into the room. Then the scent of spice, cedar, and that faint

der wa

ed into fists. The audacity to walk in here

d how my name sounded on his tongue, as if he still had

ing a bouquet of peonies-my favorite. My breath caught in my throat. What the hell wa

u," he murmured, stepping closer. "I had t

. What use would t

his scent was invading my space; he knew it too, judging by the soft smirk on his f

yed me-every nerve lit up, every memory of the way he used to hold me came rushing back.

is pho

sighing, and che

ality punched

a

flash in bold a

and moved back, my voice cold and clear. "You have the

rrowed. "Sca

ou got her pregnant. What

eing dr

mat

diseased. You confiscated my devices, cut me off from e

I didn't come here to fight. I wan

to manipulate me in

dened. "You'

apped. "Or better yet, strip m

pond to that.

g closer. "But you forget that I was raised in the Winte

y. "This is why I

nd the truth. I had just been

Because I would never forgive a man who cheats. No matter how

temple ticking. Then, like the c

. "Faye's waiting. Go com

sighed. I sat still, heart hammering, lungs gasping for air. I felt like I'd just come from batt

later, eyes wide. "There's a c

ked. "

irs. I told them to ho

ed as I ran, bare feet slapping against polished floors. The old black p

ed it up

le

ng voice filled the l

fr

ucien sp

ad c