sey

n old gardener's shed on the

aintly of dry earth and old fertilizer, but it off

entirely o

, leaving behind only thin, silvery-pink lines. The br

s the Spri

ve been the one selecting the seasonal blooms, approving the wine list, a

ust attend the Spring Banquet to honor the season of renewal. Until I official

loset, one I had bought years ago but

kin. Simple. Elegant. High-necked and long-sleeved, it didn't s

ouse, the ambient noise in th

was heavy,

ke curling smoke as I m

that

she looks so pale

ear she pus

hat into me since I was a pup. *A Luna never bows her head, K

fted to the

center. Aria was

ing decor. She was practically sitting in Bennett's lap, feeding him grapes one by on

lse

es approaching. Their eyes were swimming with pi

miss you at the morning runs. Bennett... look, he's just stressed. The Alpha blood is ov

ering mine. Then, gently

as a flatline. It surprised even me. "Bennett and I

whispered, looking scandalized, as if I had

ied simply. "People cha

lits, tracking my every micro-expression. He was waiting for a reaction. He wanted me to cry

e him a polite, empty nod. The kind yo

my back to hi

is confusion. Bennett's jaw clenched tight

arm. She whispered something frantic, pointing at the buffet table. He h

ced, his voice booming over the microp

red tradition where random partners were drawn to dance un

ched into a

ett... and

igged. The probabil

on the ears, and dragged Bennett to the dance

through the steps. She stepped on his toes twice, but she laughed loudly eac

Aria snatched the mi

hed. She turned, her eyes locking directly o

p sucked the air

Why don't you give us a toast? To the Alpha's new happiness? Or are

sed, I looked bitter and defeated. If I sp

e in my cheeks, a physical slap. B

the room. The crowd part

n't need it. My voice carried, clea

heart," I said, looking at Ben

ilence stretch until it

ong since left

urned a violent

e weapon. I wasn't fighting f

ett roared. The Alpha's Command vibrated in

by the waist, hi

me, his eyes wild with a panic

Aria's dress down, expos

the room. People c

ding. With a savage, guttural growl, he bit

na

meeting bone was

d that was equal par

. Before the pack, befo

w bond settled, searing into place. It was done. He had overwritten o

t me like a physical blow. T

d his head. His mouth was smeared with crimson. He looked at me, ch

lood staining his teeth.

nster covered in another woman's blood, desp

I sm

mall smile, but

hispered into th

tting m