a P

r me. But underneath it, there was a feeling I hadn't expe

s of warm milk, a triumphan

, practically bouncing with glee. "That was brilliant. So, what's next? Th

y mind felt clearer than it had in ages. "First, I need my own pla

op and logged in

It was meant to be my allowance, my security. He never touched it, never even looked at it. For fou

. This wasn't his money. This was payment for four years of my life. For my

he human city downtown. A place where pack politics and Alph

Foster, and sent her a concise email outlining what I was looking

step. My first real

son

sation with Aria replayed in my head, each of h

n was frayed, hazy. All I could feel was a vague direction, a general

Bennett, to find her. To use

he bitter caffeine to cut through my frustration. As

hear? A

thought she wa

fight. I saw that article on the gossip

he's c

They all ducked their heads, prete

tered. My bl

wn mate, had become office gossip. A topic for bore

my being, felt like it had been

office, and slammed the door. The sou

med her.

ed home, been the obedient mate she was sup

singular, burning obsession. I had to find her. I ha

helping her. Who had given

was her loud-mouthed, fi

al Ro

a P

f Crystal's guest room, my la

e Foster, the re

ents in the heart of the city, complete with photos and vir

odern kitchens. Balconies with breathtak

a screen. But to me, th

uine spark of hope. Not the fragile, dependent hope I had for

I just had to be brave e