e clearing, my chest heaving with suppressed sobs. Each step I took away

familiar voice ca

hrough the trees to catch up. Her concerned eyes s

lied, my voi

y arm, but I flinched away. The humiliation w

whispered. "He didn't just r

f debating what to say. "Grace, he's a fool if he ca

still echoed in my mind. I wrapped my arms aro

one," I muttered, stepping furth

ded. "If you need me, I'm here. D

I'd been holding back spilled over, hot and bitter. My fingers curled into th

be by his side. I'd dreamed of being strong enough to match his power, of provi

, its light shining down on the

despair, but the sound of approaching footsteps pulled me back

gures emerged f

ep and unfamiliar, yet it

n and Caleb. They were newcomers to the pack, having arrived only a few mon

ort. His dark hair fell across his sharp features as he studied me with concern. Caleb, on th

e?" Caleb asked, his tone g

se. What could I say? That I'd been rejected and

could see right through me. "I

Caleb shot his brother a warning gl

you're not ready," Caleb said softly.

why they cared, but their concern felt genuine. For the first time since the r

d to whisper, my v

alling over me. "Dante doesn't defi

his gaze, searching for any trace of

uraging. "Come on, let's get you out of here.

helped me to my feet, I couldn't help but wonde

on it. All I knew was that for the first time sin