UMN

. I couldn

our mate." Adonis's voice was final

s one last, deliberate pull, his expression cold and closed off. Dante's gaze held mine, the last

ut. To break free of these bonds-both th

ly looked-the devastating trut

't see me

aw a c

saw a

usion Agatha had

o believe it. They ha

nger acknowledged me as their own. Each step I took away from the Logan estate sen

ut. Un

oved had cast me aside. The forest, once a sanctuary,

ysical wound. My wolf, once a vibrant force within me, now lay silent and w

cing one foot in front of the other. Wh

I he

iar laughter that coiled

the trees. Men-large, with cruel eyes that gleamed with amu

them, radiant in her

y of warmth. "Aw, poor thing," she cooed, her voice drip

like a brand of shame. My mind reeled. Why was

I managed, my vo

y ground unnaturally loud. "Oh, don't look so confused. Y

ighter, to muster som

ress sharply against my lips. "I can't stand

movement made me stumble.

self. The impact knocked the air from my lungs. Before I could even gasp, a heav

e from different directions-sharp kicks, painful prods with boots. Their

her face. She watched with avid interest,

h

n, forcing my head up to meet her gaze. "You honestly thought they'd choose you over me?" H

red my vision, but I refuse

to you," I forced ou

t's the most infuriating part, isn't it?" she whispered, her face close to mine. "You were just t

hing imaginary dust from her immaculate dres

round her

ing ribs. "Knox, Dante, Adonis..

y'll come riding to your rescue? That they'll feel a pang of regret?" She leaned down again,

t just hope, but the very foundat

nt it broke. And

cked, the betrayal fresh and

e the pinnacle of comedy. "Your friends? Oh, you pr

bones. All those shared moments, whispered

ed you?" Her mock sympathy was a cruel blade. "Sweetheart, th

, paralyzing me more ef

ine now. The Logans. The pack." Her eyes, glittering with victory, lo

in the ground behind me. The sound

liff'

ugh the fog of pain. This wasn't jus

test from my ribs, but a swift, brutal kick sent me

her beautiful face a

ye, Ba

t and shoved with

I

the wind a deafening roar in my ears. My heart

no

raced up to meet me,

g seconds, my life did

hood laughter in

warmth of Dante'

cise way Knox w

rded softening

troyed by a hatred

but of furious, unyielding defiance. It was a plea and a

ME! GIVE ME A CHANCE

all my rage, my sorrow, my shattered lo

h

ose and swallo