at the shrill

lazing with disdain. Her sneer curled into something colder

meeting Tessie's glare. Before she c

eered. "The pack's still celebrating that a half-witch like her didn't en

nd turned back to Aurora. "Well? Ar

ield began to drift their way. Aurora felt their glares, the

nothi

. "There's no need to yell. Being a werewolf

y warning before her gray eyes darkened to red.

arms crossed, watching the exchange. He didn

through the air. "Wh

nk that are an hotshot because of your position as the Luna, I would

affected by the growing cr

How he swore under the full moon that he couldn't live w

t, she was very aware that he could hear what she wa

of the memory he was well aware of, after all he u

ora didn't miss the nostalgia on Maverick's fa

bout good, and that made light appear at the b

raised brow and half-smile. "You think

the same could happen to you too. You might find yourself remembering

she knew fully well tha Aurora was right

e asks sharply and there was an excited buzz among the members

gone dull? Your father's a gamma, and your mother's a pac

anger, and for a brief moment, the field was

my parents?!" Tessie snarled,

d, another voice cut throu

going

idn't need to turn

eri

nd looped through his arm. His icy blue eyes scanned the scen

ice calm but cutting, "why

g her like a slap, what was she eve

orward, his voice sharp. "She wasn'

esn't matter who started it. As Luna, you should know better than to engage

hest, but she managed to speak. "So I'm supposed to let them treat me

falter. She kept her eyes on Maverick,

e but he didn't, instead with an unreadable face hi

made it clear where you stand. You want Phoebe? Fine. I'll stay out of yo

air, the crowd's murmu

flickered in his eyes-regret, hesitation, or something else entirely. Th

turned away, Phoebe's a

field pressing on her. She didn't cry, didn't crumble

softly, his hand resting

r, they walked away from the field. Behind h

didn't l

-

n left the field. Her heart was pounding, not from fear, but f

ed Easton's arm. "I'm fine," she m

ietly, his voice steady but protect

away from prying eyes. Aurora leaned

, her throat tightening. She bit her lip to stop the tears fr

ick was so sure seven years ago. He was hellbent on the fact that they were each other's mate, he had

very single promise was

t, and after that night, she didn'

d Aurora was in the wrong but no matter ho

ers. "Because he's a coward. He's too blind to see what

tterness in it made her chest ache.

admitted. "But it doesn't

them drew her attention. She turned just in ti

but urgent. "There's a visitor from an allied p

He was dressed simply, but his bearing was regal, his eyes sharp and calc

I'm Jasper," the man s

ded with a bright smile. "And t

he air like a bomb

s she glanced at Maverick. His expression d

e deny it? Correct the girl? Or wou

er. If you follow me, we can discuss further inside." He glanced at

lt the wo

sharper than before. He didn't deny it. He didn't correct her.

herself to stay upright. She couldn

reality. He placed a hand on her shoulder, guiding her away

storm. She'd thought she'd hit rock bottom bef

to glance at the field one last time. Maverick was already walking aw

carried all the weight of her broken he

answer. He d

dy knew t

o

strength to walk away for go