toria's

t hurt

s. I was certain this was just another one of Evelyn's traps. She

a. She could have it. But I w

ack stung like slaps across my face. I didn't need their pity

single tear fell onto the back of my hand. I kept trying to tell myself Elijah didn't deserve my love, but t

nd Elijah-he had no leadership. I could admit he had strength, yes, but no strategy. He was impulsive. Yet when

d to strip me of it all, cast me out, le

h clenched like a fist had punched through it. I rushed to the toilet and vomited.

d fainted from the pain last night. Now I looked like a wreck.

ror reflected once again a confident w

ei

once more, but

me? Because of Elijah's betrayal? I c

hospital. I prayed Evelyn's child was safe. No m

here-only Evelyn. She looked radiant, untroubled by pain. When

e flaunted her victory without restraint, twisting her wrist so I could see bett

en see the obvious flaws. I sneered, "I almost pity you, Evelyn. If y

u mean?" sh

been kind to you these past two years. You can't even tell su

doesn't matter. You know you'll be thrown out in the end. I'm sure

lthy. He'll be the next heir of this pack. And you-soon y

as, without my inheritance, the Golden Claws would never have g

had that much sway. I had earned the trust of ever

with him. With him absent, I had no reason to waste word

," she taunted. "After all, what woman with any

g her counterfeit jewelry-unless, of course, he sees her as cheap. Evelyn, you're tru

f, how much he despises you," she sneered.

e Elijah at fault, then perhaps he'll be the one cast out of the pac

r froz

erself into Elijah's arms. She buried her face in his

quivered, tears dripping down his

vealing one flushed che

e surging in my chest. "Y

to Elijah's sleeve, sobbing, "She insulted you too. She said you h

truth-but out of her mouth,

s. "Victoria!" He ground my name between his teeth like i

me off, voice sharp and trembling. "And. sh

pen. Every eye

, my chest heaving.

head, stroked Evelyn's stomach with a tenderness that was cr

y child? Then you have n

s the sound

in the