na Thor

ing around the central fire. My father, Alpha Gideon Thorne, and my mother, Luna Isolde. The sight of them, their faces etched with worry under the moonlight, se

child, where have you been? We heard you fell in the lake." Her hands, warm with the gent

heavy hand on my shoulder. His gaze was sharp, assessing. He

en for granted. It was a treasure I had foolishly discarded. "I'm fine," I murmured, my voice t

l moment wa

ank the Goddess

behind them like jackals. Hovering near her son was Rowena Blackwood, the fo

concern. "We were all so worried," she said, ad

lfless girl who can't even keep her footi

Alpha aura flared, a crushing pressure directed a

ve defense of his mother. "My mo

ng to me. She tried to take my hand, her voice pitched to carry to everyone present. "Sera,

r favorite tactic: public displays of "kindness" that were, in fact, acts of social assassination. I re

anym

ng with hers. My voice was quiet, but it cut through the crackling o

gh the onlookers. The silenc

sk cracked, and for a split second, I saw the venomous creature beneath. Then, the ma

future Alpha command slammed into me

A searing headache, yes, but also a stubborn, unyielding core inside me that pushed back. My own

you command me? Because you are the fool who cast

struck Lilith like a physi

for her ears. "Stop your disgusting little games. If you don't,

lence in my eyes made her shudder.

d. A flicker of pride crossed my father's face. He stepped forward,

d cold as granite. "Control your people.

illusion of a happy alliance

sn't regret, not yet. It was confusion, mixed with a healthy dose of anger. He couldn'

's arms, playing the victim to perfection. But I saw the flash of

home," I said to my parents

st clenching, the knuckles cracking in the tense silen

sane,* he snarled at his wolf through their private link. For the first time in a long time, h