Thor

focatingly long corridor. Each step was a monumental effor

ed a bruised, angry purple. A low rumble of thunder echoed in

pty space. Instead, I found myself turning toward the heavy oak doors tha

rain slapped against my face, shocking my senses

my hair to my skull and soak my thin dress. I wanted it to w

ind and water, the beautiful flowers b

n. It had been my mother's favorite spot in our own pack's garde

at seeped through my clothes. My body was already

ers numbly tracing the r

t onto my finger during the Mating ceremony, his touch rel

laugh escaped my

ling and stiff. But my hands were cold

perfect metaphor for the damned bond I couldn't esca

slumping back on t

he garden. A she-wolf, holding a large umbrella, was calling

his mother's arms. She hugged him tight, kissed his forehead, and then sheltered

iful scene was a

Of the children I would never have.

d mate, a dying wolf, wi

crushing, a physical force tha

the cold comfort of the pack house,

ng out to break my fall. My right palm landed

lood welling up, mixing

udden jarring impact, had done wha

nger. It lay half-submerged in a muddy puddle, i

ave felt something-relief,

't pic

roken. That symbol was a l

ng, and without a backward glance at t