echoed like a ticking clock. Ciara's wrists were bruised raw where the iron cuffs bit into her s

rayal, this malicious lie from Freya, Ryker, and Th

ven doubt. Only cold contempt, as though she were nothing more than an insec

e looked up sharply, heart pounding. I

that approach

a soft vo

her side, clutching a bundle under her apro

sped, throat dry.

he whispered, glancing a

in with me," Ciara

bundle free and passed her a crust of bread and a skin o

hands, tears blurring her vision. "

o blame. You have no one. No rank. No pro

ed deep, becaus

an Alpha's reckless mistake. The highbloods saw her as a stain, a reminder of impurity. Ev

dead," Ciara

isrespecting the Alpha's authority.' Some say they'll just

froze.

's Claw pack. They're lookin

into her like a

ory, and weapons in exchange. They want a half human woman

ch turned. "T

. Disgraced. Powerless. And the

. No trial. No chance to speak. Just an

go," she

knew how foolish they sounded. She was a p

ou have to survive this. W

r of boots sent Elira scurrying away,

They unlocked her chains and yanked her to her feet. Her legs buckl

u taking me?"

," one growled. "Yo

r wrists bound, eyes blindfolded. She wasn't told where she was going or who awaited her.

trong, brutal, and merciless. Rumors whispered of his conquests, his bloodlust, and his hatred

blinding sun pierced her eyes. The gates of Raven's Claw loomed before her, tall

ed her with curiosity and disdain. A woman in a red robe stepped

she said coolly. "

said n

snapped her fingers. "Take her to the prep

heets. Ciara was scrubbed, dressed in a sheer white gown, and left on the bed like a wrapped offe

fell s

d open sometime

ent

n the guards who brought her, and reeking of alcohol. His face w

hen he saw h

rrowed. "Th

dn't a

ark sound. "Pretty,

on the wooden floor. "I didn't ask

sed as he neared

to you," he growled

Don't t

shed hers, and his weight pressed her into the mattress. She

ed through the wind

sat up, rubbing his h

looked

. Eyes bloodshot. Skin bruised. A scent

hifted from conf

o.

ed. She didn't want his pi

e... m

came out l

ing. She turned

not at her, but at the world. "No. No, the mo

the room witho

nora arrived. Her face

said. "You are no longer breeder. You wil

didn't

ready be

s one m