s, Alpha Alaric Th

eek. Her silver dress was stained, her hair w

anger. She had ex

expected hi

e to believe

myself. Vance and Alpha Magn

s face

u been d

N

struck

lf against a table. Pain spread across

cuse the man who has protected

He's planning

ss of water and thre

air and dress. Ember gasped,

ap little whore, making up stories because

rted, but n

followed every rule, obeyed every command, and accepted

en asked why her

oor o

d, looking p

everything

at Ember

you are,

pped away

hief from his pocket an

up. You're embar

t the cloth

nned to abandon her. Now he was pretending

uch me,"

ebrows

ha

don't t

his hand agai

ize to your mat

from her fa

e quiet. The fear was still there, b

fted h

y, I reject yo

m fell

smile di

shook, but s

ver my bond with you before the Moon Goddes

nside her chest as t

e clutched her stomach and fell to h

ward, one hand press

an't d

up at him thr

ust

twisted w

regret

d. What more coul

-

Ember stood before

k members had gathered. Warriors lined the wall

Her cheek remained swolle

behind a long

Thomas

your fated mate without lawful cause. Do you

es

violation of our traditions.

N

uld you reje

. He plans to help Alph

read throu

ward, wearing a s

mber. Unfortunately, she has become suspicious and violent. Yesterday,

stared

re ly

head as if her w

w, I would forgive her if

exchanged sym

de the council, h

," he o

rned tow

u know I wouldn't lie ab

apped

ears

attack instead of you," he said. "Perhaps th

opped br

when she was a child. For years, sh

e words crushed what little

nted towar

ack. You will never cross our borders ag

er, p

ped to h

is. I have n

rned

her

ed, but Vance sudde

s still my mate. Giv

ssed. Several spectators w

ouched bes

pped so only

gone, I'll sell this pack for a fortune. Your

blood

miled a

ed her arms and d

e gates. Some people laughed. Others watched s

edge, one warr

ive minutes befo

k at the pack sh

ame to s

rm, ignoring the pain in her

ors shifted

ollowed her i

the people she had once trusted