, swollen and sore from the previous night's tears, blinked open reluctantly. Sleep had come in

e, the same place he spent most of his time, pouring over pack duties. For a brief momen

aring at my reflection in the mirror across the room. My usually bri

r, Grace," I mu

wasn't going to let it define me. If I stayed down, the whi

and toast wafted through the air. I padded downstairs, the famili

able, her fingers wrapped around a steaming mug. Her eye

e greeted, he

f coffee and sat across from her,

oke it. "How ar

k," I admitted, taking a

ou don't have to face this alone.

n my rock, even when things got rough. B

, and heavy footsteps filled the house. My father e

we need

yself for whatever was

ward his offic

ng him down the hall. Once inside, he closed the

t night," he began

rejecting his fated mate wasn't so

my voice sharp. "That I wasn't good e

"But this is about more than just you, Grace. Our famil

ubbling beneath the surface.

here are other options-alliances we can form to strengt

lipped out befor

e in surprise

nt just because Dante rejected me," I said, my

aze heavy and unreadable. Then he si

You don't understand the stakes here

w it was temporary. My father wasn'

pending pressure. Even without his interference, the w

night's events. By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, I found my

nt trail winding through the trees. It was quiet, save for t

t alone until a familiar

ra

ark eyes catching the faint glow of moonlight. His presence was as comm

ere?" I asked, my voice s

e replied, stepping closer. "But I

my lips. "Do you always track people th

the cool night air. "You're special, Grace.

off guard. I looked away, my cheeks h

to your own worth,"

n meaning. I searched his face for any sign of insincerity,

, another voice called

hog all the t

ing up his face. Unlike his brother, he seemed completely at

o?" I asked, ra

asually against a nearby tree. "Ad

effortlessly. Adrian's quiet strength contrasted with Caleb's lig

Caleb added, his tone softeni

memory still f

t," Adrian said, his voice fi

hest tighten. After everything that had happened, I did

etly, my gaze flicking

ned. "That's what

cker of something I hadn't expected-hope. Maybe this was