ri

lace; this is a world far from the apartment I'd called h

echoing endlessly, "You caused your mom's death." I've

inally

. With caution I began to move; my senses heightened as

the moon was a pale witness overhead, casting long fingers that twisted like fingers reaching for me. I f

"Cut her off." Panic spiked in my chest. I veered to the left, scrambling down a street incline towards the ope

my path. I skidded to a halt, heart pounding like a drum. "

first man said, t

Was this how it was going to

e back to t

e darkness, tall and broad with stark white

d to me, pierci

time seemed

k wit. A strong jawline and a prominent cheekbone gave his face a chiselled, angular look, while his white hair was perfectly messy, as if he'd just rolled out of bed. His broad shoulders squared, he wa

Look at me," he said with his deep voice. I t

me, put his hands back in his pocke

...who are you?" I ask

what happened, Alph

m on the horizon. Derek is everything I'd heard abou

n't waver. "You

f iron chains. I pulled at the hands holding

oon enough. Have you forgot

nge- a sudden warmth radiating from deep inside, something tethering me t

adow of a smile, but his eyes remained

. "I don't even know wha

aling a flicker of something hidden beneath his ha

, turning towar

d rooted, eyes locked on Derek as he strode

oice barely audible. "Why

ack. "Because it's fate. w

t fate – the word felt fo

spond, the guards

air was thick with the scent of leather and thic

ully, the tension crac

lump in my thr

efly. "You'll learn soon

harp. " I don't want to

u forgotten? you're sold. To me

ack tear

re needed, whether y

urs." He stepped closer, the air thick

ll heavy and

un, but something inside me resisted; the stran

g it, my eyes me

orld

rt thu

spoke the trut

stay here for your own good." I shifted m

-smiled " you're not. P

ling, mate? And why, of all people, will I be mated to Der

like one. I have no intention o

im, and this is it. Was he angry about bei

r strength," Derek comma

rd again, guiding me

d Derek, burnin

s I didn't understand. And the bond

es and the occasional sharp bark of wolves filled the ground, but my attention was locked on two figures across the wide expanse ne

attern. The lightwear fabric draped elegantly around her, and the V-neckline added a touch of

re they doing here in the

ged Arielle , whispering loudly enough for me to hear, "Look who it is, Arielle. The little outcast herse

t she thinks she's s

flicker of fear I felt inside; instead, I

despite the pounding in my ches

ria, or did Sia finally sell you to the wolves?" She smir

ched m

nd cold and sharp. What

ari pack? "Your what?" I a

you doing here? I'm not sure your kind are allowe

" I said, I don't care if Derek does not treat m

ng here; it can't be my

, "but I belong somewhere. And

tension. Some whispered among themselves, c

I may not have wolf powers yet

ng. " You think you can just walk in here and act like you're

ask the Alpha th

pha, my

ven related