a P

a stunned, ringing silence. Elder Edgar looke

e rose from his seat,

k, a strong, clear voice

irl is

se weight. "In our world, strength is everything. Mates should empower each other. If a

their assent. They were the same women who had a

I had simply 'confided' in them how Katy had asked for my advice o

a certain Omega from a fallen pack, a woman whos

eeds were be

prize," one lady whispered. "Imagine, thinki

ther added. "Elois also clawed he

shame and anger. She look

hipping away at her carefully construct

sk of sorrow. "Alpha, you must do some

me, his daughter, standing with a bloody hand

n I made m

my attention to the portraits on the wall

ething," I said, my voice musin

she married my father, she was strong and vibrant. Why is

that a distant relative, who came here only to 'ca

beat. A cold dread beg

es. The year I was born, Father was away on a tour of the border territories. He was gone fo

with my father. "Isn'

t was a detail he

to Elois. "And Esley... wasn't

ing like a whip thro

ng under his roof. And yet, a child is born! Elois Mer

on exploded

, mouths agape, stunned by the sh

ce. He stared at Elois, his eyes fill

tning, her mouth open in a silent scream

ess. She had always assumed Esley was Garri

ng in my soul. In my past life, this secre

Elois's mask off in fr