ark glare when the front door clicked s

oom. A few minutes later, my stepmother appeared in the doorway. She looke

snapped, planting her hands o

the laundry down, and g

talking about?" I asked

th Kael and Rowan, hiding upstairs where no one could

ivienne told me you insulted her. She also said you nearly ran i

itted my teeth as anger rose in my chest. Nothing I said would make a difference.

"Go make dinner. Your father will

stove and started dinner. My stepmother was just waiting for a reason to lash out. Vivienne

nreadable. I placed their meals in front of them, then took my usual seat at the far end of the table,

" my stepmother asked sweetly,

also training the younger ones to defend the pack." Weariness crept into his voice. "The work never stops." Then he turn

th he blamed me for. Marisol looked uneasy for a moment, then laid her hand over his. To my relief, his attention shifted

imming with excitement. My father raised an eyebrow,

bout Vivienne," he sa

zed the arrangement?" She leaned toward him, her eyes bright with a

at me. I might as well have been invisible. Everything in this house revolved around Vivienne. To them, arranging this marr

ss. "Alpha Corvin has officially approved the match. The twins will take Vivienne as their mat

's dreamed of becoming Luna since she was a little girl." She beamed, but then a

the union becomes official. But there's almost no chance she's in our pack." My father shrugged. "With their birthday so close, their wolves would've sens

her gasped, clasping her hands together in delight. "That

r muttered. Then he fixed me with a stern look. "

d that he'd even remembe

Elara and Vivienne grew up together, more or less, and they're the same

getting at," my father

her." I sat frozen as she continued. "Why not Elara? Vivienne would have someone she tr

y did. Only now, it would be official. Resentment welled up inside me. I desperately tried to catch my father's eye, sile

e Vivienne. You should be honored to serve your Luna." His tone was cold, and I shook my head at on

I turn eighteen," I blurted

s head, his express

" I exclaimed, too stun

ghteen. But anyone with Beta or Alpha blood..." He left the sentenc

art sinking. How had I forgotten that damned rule? For the

and Rowan today, neither will they. You're staying here, and you'll do as you're told." His voice sank to a thr

l silent, and I cou

n't you let me leave?" I whispered

e's death." He slammed his fist on the table. "No

caught the smug smile spreading across Ma