RA'S

er the Luna Cer

s and the scent of breakfast drifting from the kitchens, fe

jected the bond. It hadn't faded, not really. It pulsed beneath my ribs like a bruise that would ne

ted t

didn't ge

r a festival. So I walked there barefoot, the hem of my ruined gown dragging throug

, the cold look in his eyes. The gasps, the whisper

been a n

pack had se

ountain outpost would know that their Alpha had rejecte

w-born

rned hotter than t

discarded garlands, I

he Alpha's r

rywhere. She'd been at Isaak's side since before his father's death. Everyone kn

ghtened

s and warriors, her golden hair gleaming in the weak sunlight. She wore a gown

found me, that

e purred, loud enough for everyone to he

at followed was

, clutching the wilted garlands tighter. "Bethe

raceful step forward. "I only wanted to thank you fo

ment moved throug

Goddess chose her," one

ed," another added

breathing, to stay silent. Omegas knew b

with prey. "Tell me, Sierra," she said softly, "what did it fee

ched m

pressed, "when he looked at

struck l

my chest, and I tasted salt on my tongue. I wanted to run. I wan

t the sound stop

girl," one of th

g for the Alpha to change

lways has." She tilted her head, feigning pity. "You poor thing.

inside m

life. But hearing his name on her lips, said

but clear. "You speak boldly for so

tyard we

ght maybe I'd imagined

eeth. "You think you can use

ck at me, eyes glittering. "You cursed him. The moment you were revealed, you humiliated him befor

murmured, "The Goddess

their faces that

auseous. Her voice dropped. "You should leave, omega

d. "I have nowh

back to whatever hole you came from and pray the G

e met with la

ering inside me. The rejection had torn her apar

nnection was slipping. My vision blurred, the edges of

louder. "Look,

I hit the ground. The pain tore through my chest again,

ing inside me had

laughter fa

ered, "She's

the sound of my heartbeat slowing,

w movement at the far

aa

oak, expression unreadable, s

for the bri

elt his wolf stir. I felt it, even through the pain, an echo o

. I knew it. Every inst

his jaw t

d his fa

started, her voice

id, his tone fl

ll silent. Even

glance and then said, without em

hook my head weakly, pushing myself

ered. My voice sounde

s no mercy there, no warmth. Only the same c

cent betr

a faint fractured note of turmoil. His wol

ked away, cloak s

h her steps were slower n

erse. No one offered he

ered the wilted garlands, my hands trembling. My wol

where the bond had once glowed. The

ed, carrying h

lowed myself to cry. Not quiet, hidden tears, but dee

seen

eard the

had wal