uring his public claim. Though no blood had been drawn-that would wait for the markin

me since claiming me, leaving me alone in

rm cloud, unavoidable and threatening. The full moon ceremony would seal my

t my door, Derek's brother, his normal

tonight," he said. "A formal acknowledgm

y stomach. "Do

leather. Inside lay a dress of midnight b

s matter tonight." Mark's voice softened. "

est. Perhaps with Derek's protection, the years of sidelong glances and whisp

or the ceremony have already begun. Six days is

"What... exactly happ

becomes unbreakable." Something in his expression made me s

ching shadows lengthen across the forest floor. Six more

I entered. Judgmental eyes tracked my movement, no longer seeing the half-bl

ot bothering to lower their voice. "Wond

another replied. "Though what v

n my cheeks. The dress clung to my frame,

manding the room. Something flickered in his cold eyes whe

d, voice carrying across

watching, the gesture might appear affectionate. Only I could feel the tensi

be called a smile. "The council is... adjusting to your unexpected cho

il to question," Derek replied, h

orna continued, eyes flicking to me. "The full moon

rtbeat before relaxing. So slight I might have i

at me for years now approached with calculating eyes, trying to determine if my new

levation," Elder Morna insisted during a momentary lull. "I

tly. "My mate will not perform like a

rough me-until I caught the possessiveness in hi

tepping forward with practiced grace. "Even half-bloods should manage that

al. "An excellent suggestion. The ability to identify

d clay bowls. When uncovered, each contained a clot

er Morna instructed. "Any worthy mate to

r Jason's, the subtle differences between lesser-known pack members

ed the first bowl. I inhaled deeply, recognizing Elder M

fter years together. The third was

ke it easier for her. After all, we can't expect a half-bloo

an. The fourth and fifth I got wrong as well, my ch

than human," so

Alpha if she can't even recogni

hering was watching my failure with

per, like a hunter sizing up prey. His scent washed over me again, that wild underton

exposed as inadequate-exac

ke up for her deficiencies," Aileen suggest

cern. "Or perhaps Derek merely pitied the poor thing. After al

nded prey. "Maybe he's just collecting strays. First

ough the crowd, drawi

is. "I'm just grateful Derek relieved you of your... obligation," she told him loudly enoug

d worse than any

o my side, his presence like a shield. "My mate possesses q

rief flare of gratitude warmi

our assessment." His tone was cold, proprie

itical alliance with unknown forces, some hidden ability yet to be revealed, or

elt like an artifact being examined, my worth debated by people wh

odge, I could barely conta

ded once we were alone. "To parade me

k needed to see you in your new role

name only? Everyone k

tify. For a moment, his eyes seemed to soften, the blue warming from i

erves the pack's inter

se interests? Why did you

ng what I deserved to know.

hrough me. "My blo

ceptive gentleness that confused rather than comforted. "Your father had the s

ck like lightning.

erhaps even guilt. His fingers twitched at his side, so subtly it was nearly impercep

subject. "Rest now. Six days until

iful dress mocked me-a pretty wrapping for merchandise. I tore

just a half-blood with apparen

or like shed illusions. The brief moments when I'd thought Derek

ressed my hands to my face, tears burning like fire. What

eventually used up. My momentary hope that I might find di

y echoed with new, ominous meaning: "Some chain

x days until those chain