still not out of this

and immediately knew she wasn't as okay as she pretended to be. Even after the spectacle on the field

ad just given to Phoebe in front

e hall. There was no one around, and the dim light shrouded them i

on stage giving a speech. A smile rested on Maverick's lips as if he hadn't just shattered someone's wor

sed to meet Maverick that night, but her mother sabotaged her with endless chores. With

sted he train for his position for another two to three years before gaining full authority. They had litt

sion was cold, filled with mild disgust, and for a fleeting moment, there was

on hurt h

ed Maverick if he had found his mate. Though both of t

and I don't think she's h

gainst her ribcage, and she

erick, still talking on stage with the same composed demea

u just let this go and leave it all behind? You should've moved on by now," Easton s

l tore her apart, but Aurora kne

yself, and I hate myself for it. It's like I need him, somehow. I'm scared of leaving this behind. A part of me still hopes he'll look at me

ced a brunette trying to approach them and

or feeling this way

hifted as Maverick c

ort. I'm grateful to the pack members and former leaders. And I want to express special gratitude to

's cheek, and the crowd erupted in cheers

tively. He glared at Maverick, seething. Although Maverick had flaunted

aw something unusual in his expression, but before she co

::::::::::::

e pack members they passed stared at Aurora with mocking, knowing express

t's going on?

"We've been in the attic since we

now dark with a full moon

se, Tessie stood by the door. Her

ield behind the pack house," Tessie said disdainfully. "You'

rely nodded. Tessie smirked,

aid, holding her arm gently

er pack leaders, the council, her family, and Maverick seated beside Phoebe.

ps faltering. Aurora dragged him along, ready

been frolicking with Easton, the Alpha has decided to grant you freed

s hit her. Breaking the bond? Her heart pounded in her

lare fixed on Maverick. "You-spineless, selfish Alpha! First, you turned your back on her for no

w whatever idiotic plan this so-called Alpha comes up with. Aurora gave everything for this pack-endured your sneers, he

topped when Aurora began to laugh. The sound was hollow and

astard you never wanted, the walking evidence that you were raped by a wizard." Aurora scoffs at her mother after

odded sympatheticall

r with," Aurora said, he

e life worth living for her, she was the one that was always there through the dark gloomy days, shining li

. Her gaze then flicked to Maverick, who stared back at her with an unreadable expression. His fist

r bond would allow her to find peace. But doubt gnawed at him. What if the ritual went

the pain for three years in order to make sure she finds it bearable when she confronts all the pain she would

esome

ing, their voices a haunting symphony of ancient words. Aurora forced herself to

he pai

ke her very soul was being ripped apart. Her limbs burned as though needles and blades pierced h

rush to her side, but a witch rais

y hung in the air, suspended by some unseen force. Her eyes were wide and glassy, her f

force of the severed bond. Alec caught Maverick as

as he checked Aurora's pulse. She was still aliv

when he saw Aurora was alive. He shouldn't end up leading her to h

mnly. "Alpha Maverick Stuart Prill and Luna Aur

y, her hand resting possessively on Maverick's arm but he shrugs it off. Aurora,

pat, his voice trembling with f

e might shatter. "I'm taking her away from this hellh

ed. Not ev

ed to stabilize her breathing and gain some energy. His heart twisted p

e wasn't sure he had