na

y nose. It was a stark, sterile contrast to the meta

ler's ward. It was white. Blank. J

was a spiritual void. The bond with the pup-that tiny, frag

ked open. Emi

ed. He smelled of her-of vanilla and cloying sweetness. My inner wolf d

king to the bedside.

ay. I just let my hand lie ther

, practiced. "I didn't know you were... delicate. Y

artle

spered. My voice sounded like dr

It's for the best, really. The pack is unstable right now

Leo my b

eeded comfort." He leaned down, brushing his lips against my forehead. I felt bi

go. Council meeting. Rest up. We need those b

nd left. Ju

bas

d past him, her shoulder checking his chest. He barely flinched,

rabbed my face in her hands. "I'm so sorry. I t

rifying, because I meant it. I didn

ful lens. It bu

"He said it wasn't the right time

away, biti

e," I c

spered. "That Leo isn't jus

ke the tumblers of a lock. The late nights. The

connection

ed at me, but the bond between Fated Mates, even r

bracelet looks so good on him, Emili

s voice. Purri

I had carved for Emilio for our first anniversary. He kept it

ed me from

abdomen flared, sharp and

need you to bring m

o work?" she as

the bed. My hospital gown was thin, but I felt a

g the h

ng the

u can't survive as a Rogue. And the Alpha... h

e used the Command on a pregnant mate... he broke the

cked it up and threw it into the tra

d I am certainly not a rep

y reasserted itself. "Help me pack. I