phin

, the two Gammas, hauled me forward with terrifying ease. My screams tore at my t

ssive expanse of dense forest enclosed by towering black iro

ding me sprawling into

rbin announced, his voice devoid

diately, a chorus of deep, hungry howls erupted from the depths of the woods. The air was thick

my face, and jagged roots tore at my thin dress. I had no Inner Wolf to guide me,

yself inside, slamming the flimsy door shut and curling into a tight ball in the corner. The shack reeked of mold and animal dropp

e howling eventually faded into a tense s

t through the th

fers you a c

eta. His voice was low, perfect

eturn to Stonehaven Pack, and you will be spared. Refuse

beatings. Return to watch Naomi, the only mother I ever

n my chest, burning away the paralyzin

ed my trembling voice out into the dark. "Tell your

the rest of the night shivering in the dirt,

y never

n crept through the broken windo

art hammering against my ri

harpened the cruel lines of his face. **The scent of pine and steel flooded the shack-a visceral reminder of the

"I survived," I rasped, locking eyes with the preda

Mark." He leaned back, the wheelchair groaning under his weight-**a calculated lie, like eve

rength, this charade was an insult.** But Naomi's face

whispered, t

the threshold, his sweatpants pulled taut against his thigh-**revealing corded muscle flexi

itter clarity crystallized: *This man wields deceptio

threw over his shoulder,