yard where the younger wolves paced anxiously. "They can fe

ear on his face. "We're rudderless with

med red from lack of sleep. "He hasn't answered a single call. The

care?" Clara a

ing a photo. "He's with Kylie. Again. They were

ed. "He's not even

ng for his selfishness. Pups woke up crying last night. Half of th

gth is tied to hers. And he's lef

wl rose-high, mournfu

ghtened. "They're

iskey in hand. The sunlight streaming through the curtains made him

h her phone. "You should go back," she said without

h. "Let them. I'm tired of prete

ne down. "They're your people

k, letting the burn slide down his throat. "

sitting beside him. "You don't have to

er flickering in his eyes. "And what

hand lightly. "T

urn. She stood before the elders again, her voice clea

y Luna," she said. "Before

lined with worry. "Without Lindsay's co

d. "He's abandoned his post. He's abandoned u

eement rippled

d, steepling his finger

nly a moment befo

l fell

you sure? This isn't temporary. If you ste

ly. "If no one holds the l

he wind ho

mself another drink, his phone buzzed

at unopened o

fit. Maria's been named acting Luna. Re

at the phone

smirk curled

them

, staring out at the gray sky. The beeping of machines beside her was steady, almost comfo

t unopened on her phone. She

y at the sight of her. "You've been sittin

dsay's voice wa

ould fix. Brandon hadn't called. Not once. Even after leaving, aft

him realize what he'd lost. Instead, it

uzzed. Another me

s ba

like a stone

ned it

eturn... but only

owed hard, sc

Kylie name

r in a shaky exhal

tood tall before the elders. Kylie lingered b

"I'm offering a choice. I return, I lead, I

the edge of the circle, arms folded tightly across h

tensed. "She

choice," Maria shot back.

t waver. "I won't co

ng heavy i

uder. Some looked to Maria with pleading eyes. Others

ll moon," the elder leader said grave

king back toward the house. Kylie stepped

out. "You may lead them, Brand

t the door, but

d a kiss to his jaw.

t y

miled, self-assured. "T

spital bed, gazing at the moonlight through the window. Her ha

ne buzz

nown n

d, then answ

spoke on t

you need t

fr

she whi

not the only t

ed across the

d the estate, unseen e