small. "Our librarian here, Ms Mira, claims that you are her mate- that you have been all alon

udly I was sure everyone could hear it. The council, ten in total, sat in a semi-circle

ly, fingers digging into the armrest of his chair. Beside him, too cl

ent, I saw it - hesitation, doubt, and underneath all of it, guilt. The silenc

hroat, his brows furrowing.

ext, searching for something - a way out. Finally, his golden eyes met

elder prompted, their p

fiercely I could b

r Thane's response, but when it

well have been a blade to my gut. "I don't know why she's ma

n. I must ha

ce was barely

k at me this tim

y chest hollowed out, leaving not

rd like a hammer to my ribs. "I don't know why

I had given my heart to, the man who whisp

f, but the moment I spoke, Alexa stood, her da

Alexa said smoothly, her v

clung to m

of them whispering to each other. "This is a serious

ze sharp with triumph. "Lying about the Alph

knees near

w it then - the glimmer of satisfaction in

ward, but Thane didn't stop h

the elders shot at

es it, and if the council agrees, then ex

erately hoping for something - even a flick

re was

of the gavel, my

ish

ect

inside me-something sof

scorted me to the edge of the territory like some criminal. Not whe

changed The pain didn't kil

f the forest was thick with damp earth and

been locked away in the

rs in the library, learning, watching, uncovering. And

book, or understand what was needed to do so. If I could do th

my revenge. Make him

the quiet little librarian with no wolf and no spine. I was n

s know ho

got from being with Thane-even though it was only temporary and ended with nothing but pain-was that I knew a few

eneath my fin

e border before they cau

ir snarls filling the night. My heart

running t

nning to

O THE P

mory settled over me

ow do you know my mother?" My voice wa

ssion briefly unreadable. "That's

t drop that and walk away. Who was she? Why do

line. "Your mother was a dear fri

What do

g. "She carried blood that was

mean?" My voice

ella said gently. "But firs

patiently in the clearing. The girl's hands glowed

id, her voice

yes as instructed. Cara's hands hovered near

locked door creaking open somewhere inside me. A w

w

ia

otective. I gasped, doubling over as her stren

ispered, tears spr

. Della knelt in front of me, reaching out

id it

nce sharper, clearer than I'd ever known. Every sound in the clearing seemed magnified, from the crackling torches to the rustling

ion? Or w

gleamed in the low light - darker, almost metallic. My sense

asn't

voice was hoarse, though not

I didn't do anything, Mira. This-" she gestured to me, to the

"I know my wolf. I know

brow lifted slight

to argue, but the

he power you hold within you, the greatness residing in the legacy your mother left you

me, how does it actually feel?"

bt. It was then the feeling soared through my body. "It fe

and. "Now, it's time to unl