ria'

rs la

tightly my knuckles ached, but nothing could hide the

e cutting through the silence as he dressed at the foot of t

to my bed

You're getting on my nerve

hing in my throat. "But... my siste

stop. The lump in my throat made it almo

asual shrug, as if my pain meant nothing. This-af

et to my chest. "You said you'd take Summer out of the selection if

ain, but what hurt most wasn't physica

urning to me with fury in his eyes.

struck l

satisfied me. I never guaranteed anything. And l

"I knew you were a whore, but lying there like

n my throat, th

g. "I expect you here tomorrow. Depending on your pe

cheek. I flinched away, my

nd. "That's the first thing you need to change. T

our inexperience. But next time? You'd better s

eave, then pau

m not sleeping in blood and semen," he s

torn from my body. I pressed my trembling hands to my face,

ing... agreeing

on the wall as I stumbled toward the bathroom. When I looked into

en from crying. My lips were raw and bleeding. A dark bruise bloomed on my neck.

to look bet

od. Murky w

ted in

as I retched, my back arching. I threw up everything-food

out, but still, I couldn't stop. My

at the hands of a man who was supposed to protect his pack

isted for

still nothing more t

*

ed by the Alpha of this pack of werewolv

ed a father with all my heart, offered me

or the pack to accept me, being an outsider, out of respect fo

ther bound me to that bastard, Zarek

s lov

t, I belie

eneath his smile. I gave him everything-my trust, my

ve... it di

to be

d to

d to

e very weapon he used to de

downhill in my

ust a rejected suitor; he had a dark plan for revenge against our pack. He led a brutal massacre that wi

my mother survived. An ancient pack healer f

hat's when we met Arkell, the one they call the Wild Alpha. At first, he treated us kindly. His pack of fer

trayal, about the blood spilled in the name of vengeance. And the one who stood by my side thr

ho saw the truth when everyone else turned away. He looked me in the eyes and promise

he

t by the end of that single night, he and Arkell's Elite

, claiming it in my name-or so he said. Now th

way on an important mission, one

ook at what'

innocent Summer-as a tribute to the tyrant Alpha King. And without a powerful alliance to protect us and wi

passion and only used my desperation to blackm

er strong warriors or young women, preferably virgins, to warm his bed. And when he grew bored of them, he

ything I could to save my sister, even selling myself to the

ng the bedding that bore the evidence of my shame, I left th

yone, they would immediately know what had happened. The knowle

in house and quickly slipped out through a back door, feeling

her presence newly awakened since I

Alpha's blackmail. I never had, bu

four paws. I didn't want to think anymore; the pain in my chest was unbearable. I just

tting Nyra do as she pleased-hunting, running, trying to escape my sorrowfu

us toward the edge of the imme

he crystal-clear water. As we drew closer

e. It was him-Declan. He had returned from his mission fo

tement growing as she wanted to approa

crouching position, his face lighting up wi

I told you we would be mates! You can't imagine how mu

away. I was so overwhelmed with surprise and happiness

to become a couple when I turned 20, even if we weren't destined. That Valeria died today. She died in that bed when I was f

sbelief. Then, understanding struck him, and I watched as he too

have waited forever. But then the selection came, and they chose my sister as a tribute. I

e ordered, his voice cold in a

next heir to that position. Even now, he was u

e this," I begged, my wolf still eager t

s shout made me flinch, an

ct order from Declan was nearly impossible. With a heavy heart, I shi

shield my chest. My head hung low, wishing with all my bein

ur will?" Declan's voice was harsh, his teet