**

Enzo and Amanda were waiting, their

rand of my hair and tugging it harshly. "I hope it's the last I'll ever have to

sliding over me with that same sickening smirk he always wore. "Got a nice ass, Freya," he sneered, smacking me hard enough to ma

my mind, I imagined scratching that grin right off Enzo's face, making him feel every ounce of the humiliation he'd for

nearly fell. I took a deep, shaky breath, forcing my l

self in a silent, fierce whisper. S

another slap. I whirled around, glaring at him, voice tremblin

aughed, a dark sound that sent a chill down my spine, and stepped toward me, his eyes glinting with a predat

er and stepmother, who were deep in conversation with a tall, dark-haired man dressed in a black blazer. I

s digging painfully into my shoulder. His other hand roamed to my waist,

I could, sending him stumbling back a few steps. I knew I'd ignited his anger, but

this is Xavier, the Beta of the NorthRidge pack." She motione

manded, his tone

. He was studying me, his stare hard and unflinching. After

n care of,'" he said, his voice a low growl as his g

r, don't you?" Lycril's nails dug into my arm as she n

eping my eyes downcast. I pulled my sleeve over the bruise

aside to reveal the bruises. His expression darkened, and

e snapped his fingers.

er's men pinned Enzo to the ground. I stared in shock, my mind

e my stomach twist with both dread and an odd, dar

o would never harm her, right, Freya?" She looked at me, desperation in her eyes. B

defiance rise within me. For once, I didn't want to let him off.

f this. I'm speaking to him." He crouched down, grabb

is usual smugness replaced by terror. "I

. "Strip the skin from his fingers,"

awed at my father's arm, her once-perfect demeanor shattered. My father, howev

anted him to pay, but this... I wasn't sure I could stoma

I managed, my voice sha

ot until my orders are fulfille

hatred. "You little wretch! You seduced my son, and now this!" She lunged, nails poise

a mask of indifference. "Thank you, Beta Xa

ough me. He was selling me off, denyin

me, intense and piercing. "Hav

use I'd grown up in loomed behind me, cold and unwelcoming, yet I coul

weight of my fate settle over me. This man, powerful and unpredictable, h

nce back, a shiver running down my spine. If I surv

unfurled within me. What awaited me at the N

we drove into the night, m