ith

n't g

otion; it was a physical weight, dragging my feet through the deepening snow. I collapsed under the s

ut how to block it completely yet-I was just an

e is

ad. It wasn't worried. It was anno

or reported through the link. He

ike sandpaper. She's doing this for attention. She wants me to c

until I tasted copper. He thought my

s tone dismissive. She'll come crawling back when

mind, to shut him out

mplified by his Alpha authority. Tonight is a night of ce

lease

te. The one who will lead bes

ing. It echoed in my head like a thunderc

cold seeped into my marrow,

hands grabbed my shoulders.

up, g

riors. They dragged me back, not out of concern, but be

er. They dragged me straight to

ad transitioned into a bonfire party. The a

hair a tangled mess of twigs and ice. The music stoppe

let of wine in his hand. Serra was perched on

and loud, carrying easily over the crackling fire. He didn

ckled. A low

he moved with the grace of someone who knew they ha

"You look terrible. Kane told me you ran o

cheek. It was patronizing, l

on't understand how Alpha politics work. You thought working hard w

ur way into,

nce was

his Alpha aura flaring. It hit me like

ne growled. "Serra is your Lun

t, pulling her close. He looked at me with eyes that

Serra has asked me to be kind. So, you can stay. But you are stripped of y

to cry. He wait

ed in the woods. The fear was gon

m. He wasn't a god. He was just a man w

said. My voice was hoarse,

lessing. It w

rprised by my la

epeated, turning

ne roared, the Alpha Comma

the magic in his voice. I hit the

moon, bright and fu

unce of my pain into the bond. Kane, Alph

oul, a silent snap th