ire

derestimated the sha

sunlight stung my swollen eyes. But what stung infinitely more w

wo of them, heavily chained before the chopping blocks. They h

s. No one could believe that the fiercely loyal, righteous, and benevo

red at Erich, who sat comfortably on his high throne. "You swore an oath!" I screamed, my voice

g, merciless smirk curving his lips. "I did promise to let

th the casualness of brushing off

O-

rewolf packs, looked at me one last time. There was no resentment in his old eyes, only profound, a

h's cold command ech

heir massive silver broad

HL

wo heads rolled from the chopping blocks at the exact same second. Warm, crimson bloo

d my eardrums. Seventy-two vibrant lives, my family, the very foun

redded throat-the long, desolate, and bloodcurdling

e like a madwoman, only to be brutally kicked in the stomach by a guard, sendi

he severed head of a pack member that ha

I stoppe

fit of uncontrollable, maniacal laughter. Two streams of blood-tinged t

led hand into my mouth and bit down viciously on

n to frantically draw an ancient Blood Oath totem on the stone ground. It was a forbidden ritual whispered about on

ery syllable dripping with lethal venom. "I offer the blood of the Bryant

howling wind swept through the execution grounds, carrying what s

life in my dying body. "May your lives be plagued by endless torment! May your deaths be agonizingly slow a

complete, it flared with a bl

olently ripped apart by an unstoppable, raging

.

ow how long

ttering voices. The cloying, sweet scent of bloomi

finally breaking the surface, I bolted upri

ishly decorated bedroom, sunlight pouring i

hands. Ten fingers. Slender, pale, and flaw

e my bed. "Claire? What's wrong? You're so pale, you look like you've seen a ghos

my head

smile. She reached out, wanting to affectionately cover my hand with hers. "Oh, don't be n

red fingers shot up my arm like a lightning bolt. A violent wave of phys

ac

ught, I slapped her

her hypocritical face. Hearing her words-about to marry Erich today-

n Goddess, or perhaps the demons

s re

y I was supposed to marry Erich-the ex

a, a bone-chilling, predatory

ay back from hell... this t