AN'S

e hell w

air like a blade as she fur

, not after she shoved some damn papers into my chest like a final blow. The pa

tly, running a hand over my

d with rage as s

t happens to come back on the same night y

ed behind my temple. "She hasn't been in Ashridge f

ey saw her leave right before I blew out the candl

her to show up, to watch her daughter call you Mama, then storm off

, clearly caught o

n't ask for this mess.

re she folded her arms. "Do yo

a mistake-an obligation. We were never supposed to

her," Maya muttered, her to

respect that. But that's all there is to it. Elo

as walked away

tting the truth s

s with strength and order. My pack happens to be the most powerful among the five packs in Ashridge---- The northern part of Ashridge kno

, duty, and leadership. I was trained and taught to protect our l

no place in the

n Maya came into my life, everything shifted. She made me feel so

t that way wit

e it work. But there was no bond. No spark. Just shared responsibility

today to unravel li

ed on the edge of my desk, stil

el the heat of Elora's anger when she pressed the paper against my che

said quietly

for a moment. Then she sa

herself. She stayed quiet when she should've

ora left. Not because we missed her. Not because we wanted her back. But because som

aws to uphold. Our people deserve a true Luna who was chosen by

"Are sure you're not just try

Not to her. But to you? I'll be honest-I never wanted Elora. I jus

ers eased a b

She made her choice. And I'm not going to

s. "I don't just want her showing up

ce than I felt. "Elora doesn't look b

look in her eyes? That wa

study. Her brows furrowed in confusion. "Why was mommy

d, beaming up at her as she smoothed Nora's hair. "Your mom just wanted to se

h trembling lips. "You're

r head and pu

othing could ruin this

ed at my chest as I

fated mate -she was going to be the kind of Mother Nora deserved. The kind who

damn

the study, I san

what I wanted: Freedom. The past clos

someone else 'Mama,' and the sound of a door slamming shut beh

I forgot about t

ked up the papers. I unfolded it

lf, Rowan, yelle