ia's

in in my side reminded me of the rogue attack, and my arms were bandaged. The pack coun

dable and grim. As usual, Blake sat at the head of the ta

ade." His sharp eyes scanned the room before settling on me. "Cassia, to ensure

t?" With a tremblin

back in his chair. "The rogues have been attacking ou

ruptly. Are you requesting that I wed a rebe

it's not a request." It's a directive

lungs. "Why me?" I asked, my voice rising. "Why

ice was sweet, but her eyes glimmered with malice. "You have no position here, Cassia. You're not a Luna,

ng at her. "You don't get

s. "I think I do. After all,

ke for herself. Of course, she would take advantage of my rejection. She mus

voice quivering with wrat

t surprised. You've always been too weak to ha

to my palms. "You'll regret this," I mut

he decision is final. Tomorrow morning, you will dep

unfair this was, but I knew it was pointless. Blake wo

territory towering front of me. Two guards flanked me, their feat

Here, the trees were thicker, the air was cooler, and the forest appeared

his is as far as we go," one of

u're leaving m

t you up ahead," he added,

d them vanish into the forest. I in

g leaves. I looked around, my h

shouted out from the

sweeping the area

disfigured face emerged from beh

blood growing

ogue. Growing up, I had heard tales about him, but I

ning. He mockingly remarked

. "What are yo

t was clear that he was threatening. "As you can see,

What are you

by an expression of utter loathing. "Y

"How abo

e growled. "I made sure they pai

opped beati

ght, "I killed them." I was indifferent to thei

y and yelled. "You

light, the blade glinted. "The whole truth will never be reve

utting through the air, he sprang at me. A great ache w

ng to breathe. My vision became bl

his face near mine. He mumb

ist and to hang on, but

as the darkness grew. The haze

voice ordered, "G

t took a step ba

r presence was tremendous, ev

nelt next to me. "Cassia,"

h to speak, but

asked in a tone that made me trem

n my side was forgotten

dimly in the darkness, she mu

t, and everything a

eal was she offering? I didn't know, but deep down