nor'

up to anymore. Whatever game he'

o get me to fall apart like I used to. I used to lo

opped caring. My heart's done-i

om the staff had cleaned up. I stayed quiet,

ere polite and kept to themselves. One came up calmly to tell me dinner was

in my room, I holed up and started doing some math-figuring out what little I actually ow

ewards the Stormfang Pack gave my parents? None of that ever belonged to me

The rest? Scholarships and whatever I

and return the prize money too. It sounds crazy,

couldn't shake. My hand drifted to my neck, touching

eleven years ago,

caring for him, and la

ever had the heart to let it

one tight, whispering a quie

tate. Thankfully, they said yes, so I was finally ab

dealt in gems, but I had no clue if

" I asked as I walked up to a random

n front of the vendor. He gave me a once-over, clearly try

much are you hopi

hat would you offer?"

s, but I knew this one meant somet

ooked at me like I was clueless and sighed dramatically. "The color's n

ded, keeping

He dragged it out like it

ly floored. He crossed his arms and

back and scoffed. "For

, clearly pissed. "You might want to think twice-if I tur

. Still, no way I was letting it go for that

t was real. None of the othe

well-dressed man suddenly approached me. "I noticed your moonstone necklac

his totally clashing with the rough vibe of th

sponding-just shot him

"Please, trust me. I really do deal in gemstones. Look, that's my sho

mble little store tucked in the corner.

e led the way. "Name's Za

und here kept a low profile. His name rang a bell, though. I w

used to the place. Odd. But before I could think more, he quickly grabbe

reat piece. The moonstone

look, he asked, "Is

only one I've got,"

. where's

felt a little anxious. I was broke, and I needed to get a phone-and still have s

aid, watching me close

itate. "That

irty thousand dollars sounded like a fortune t

f that works for you, I'll transfer it right now.

don't have my card on me. Can you

ok, so I added, "Also, I'l

to decide. Out of nowhere, Zane turned and glanced toward a corner. I insti

k hair dropped over striking green eyes that held a wild intensity. Tall

face, like he didn't wan

waver, and I suddenly felt my heartbeat speedi

nod in his direction, and that clued me in-this guy wasn't just s

packs that much, so the name Eth

awkwardly, fidgeti

rocess the payment, le

into his pockets as he glanced a

ught a little, and I swallowed hard.

name-I had no idea if Ethan knew him,

his face. He rubbed his chin like he was trying to figure something out, but

interest in talking to a guy like him-he gave off the same overpo

e doing in a place like th

Zane handed me and walked

st glance over my shoulder, more sarcastic than sentimental. T

ught myself a new phone, th

ng out the window,

, Daniel. He fought his whole life for the Pack, loyal to a fault.

the privileges of a gamma rank. I've got a younger sister, but R

itness of the Moon Goddess and Remy, an

the two of us were seen as one of the mo

ace had still been my home. They enjoyed everything,

werewolf driving gently remi

reath, opened the car door, and walked up to

lpha Carl's place?" a sharp voi