e horizon. Her thoughts swirled like the wind rustling through the treetops, a chaotic storm of anger, sorrow, and something she couldn't quite name.

going to prove herself, she couldn't just keep running away. S

ut she ignored the pain. It was nothing compared to the hurt she felt inside. She made her way back

rs had retreated inside for dinner. The golden lights from the house spilled out into the darkness, casting long

the warriors said. Her eyes flicked to Raven, and the s

ber called out, her voice dripping with malice.

nched her fists, but she didn't rise to the bait. She couldn't afford another con

ps, keeping her head down as she pushed p

hing out to grab Raven's arm. "Did your

in her chest, a constant reminder of the rejection she couldn't esca

Raven's defenses. "Oh, I hit a nerve, did I? Poor litt

op herself, she spun around and shoved Amber back.

hissed, her voice shaking with barely co

hing moments ago now watched with wide eyes, stunned

o slap her across the face. The blow landed hard, and Raven's head snapped to the

hrough the tension like a b

silver light, his wolf dangerously close to the surface. He looked between the two wo

," he ordered, his

her shrinking back. She cast a final, venomous glance at Raven b

new better than to think Smith's intervention was out of concern

asked, his voice

concern she saw in his eyes? No, it couldn'

d curtly, turning a

ng her back to face him. "It's not nothing," he sna

ou care? You made it perfectly clear how you feel about

emotion - guilt, maybe, or regret. But it was gone before she

id flatly. "Your behavior reflect

th hitching painfully in her chest. "Right," she said, her voice

others gave her as she passed. She darted up the stairs to her room, slamming the

d promised herself she wouldn't cry, but she couldn't hold them back anymore. The sobs tore

ought desperately. I can't keep

shed she could sever it. And every time she saw him, every time he looked at her with

d no tears left. But when she finally pushed herself up, something inside her had c

ld prove to him, to the entire pack, that she was more than just a wea

ed Smith Lockwood's approval. She

uld be