NOR

ton's quarters, a standard suite for a Ga

a shield, shutting out the

was sitting on the floor. The strength that had held

not from fear, but from the elect

n-shaped birthmark on my wrist. This was my body. Youn

I had loved Braxton too much to ever speak a word against him, no matter how close he grew with Bree. I had l

there. When I stretched on my tiptoes, straining to catch a glimpse of Braxton among the warriors below, a silver blade plunged in

by accident-that I was just being foolish and careless. He believed her, of course. He always believed her.

Bree. And Bree... in his arms, she ha

ghtmare, or a warning from

real. It screamed at me that if I continued to be the subm

g the horrifying pictures away.

to fill an ocean. From this day forward,

ls wer

Rejection ceremony

e this suffo

tart my

a ruling from the Alpha. Braxton would never agree to it now. His p

ad to f

axton's things, his presence overwhelming. My few clothes were crammed into th

e desperately longed to share with my

m spotless, laid out his clothes,

excuses to "help" Bree, staying out all night. Our bon

and began pulling out his clothes, t

ngings and spread them across the b

athetic Elinor who be

eps approached, followed by

face a thundercloud of rage. Behind him, Bree

floor, then on my clothes spread

the hell are y

and deliberately foldi

han any shouting match could have. He s

ared, his grip so tight I t

my gaze as flat and empty as if I were loo

y tears, my pleading. He had no idea how to

gan to pry his fingers

my voice cold. "

plea. It w