nor

ning a jagged edge despite the rawness in my

ing into frustration. "Elinor, stop this. You ar

gh my bandaged leg, but the physical pain was grounding. It was real, unlike the fairy tale

You will do no such thing! Do you have any idea w

fat

my recovery snapped into focus. It wasn't from the fire. It was from two weeks ago, passing by my father's study. Th

slightly-a sign of carelessness or arrogance. "Once the mating ceremony is compl

fertile land, our greatest strategic asset. My father wasn't just marrying me off; he w

whispered, the betrayal tasting l

eyes pleading. "Ellie, please. Just rest. Adrian is downstairs r

line of pure fury overriding my injuries.

dancing in my vision, but I gritted my teeth and forced my body to ob

he hallway seemed endless, every step a battle, but the sound of voices

ages and smelling of antiseptic. Instead, I dragged myself to the shadows of the secon

small and nervous. My mother had rushed down ahead of

re was

a man who had battled a fire last night. He looked pristine, his suit tailored, his j

one walls. It wasn't a greeting; it was a gavel strike. "

arted, his voice trembling.

ods," Adrian cut him

pped the railing so hard

the gathered pack members, ensuring everyone heard. "I need a Luna who can

nts, though I felt his gaze piercing through th

n my bloodline

of the ritual. I opened my mouth to scream, to reject him first, to salvage s

pe, reject you, Elino

I didn't want him, the biological imperative of the mate bond screamed in agony as it

silence w

essing a kiss to her knuckles, his eyes softening in

to a possessive growl. "She is the one the Moon God

look up at him. She wasn't looking at my parents. She tilted her head back, her

n, she

e sharp, triumphant smirk of a predato