lla'

chest still throbbed. All through the night, I had waited for Damon. I stood outside the Elders' quarters, whi

st. It was the silence. The absence. The fact that the one I loved shut me out. My wolf hadn't spoken since I got

a Luna. It was meant to be me. Before my body faile

illness, quiet room, with a tremb

olf didn

ed over me. What had I done to deserve this? Was love truly that easy to erase? Could he

a knock

replied with a low vo

ne of Damon's guards stepped

u to his office." He said

knew never sent for me like a stranger. He always came to me himself, always touc

s was a g

t and left my room with slow steps as

ice, harsh and comical vo

thought sh

what she

l finally b

g. They wanted me to hear but I forced myself forward. I wouldn't le

ched his office. I grabbed the knob softly

iting for outsid

ed the

heart s

ly on his shoulder. His hand played slowly throug

haky step forward. My eyes clung to the

breathed, though I

Luna." Damon looked up

n raised

shattered a

el

st fr

r. She sat in my place, wore the smile I used to wear, touched the man

said with a

. I needed to believe there wa

He asked. "I heard y

d with a raised voice. "What is

ut flinching. She didn't

t be able to for years. I need to present a strong L

ng with a softened gaze. "We can still fix this. You and I...we

l carry my mark. If you accept the rejection, you

ion suddenly, "You'r

the pack. For myself." He didn't

ispered gently, wiping tears off my c

at?" Noelle finally s

n this?" I asked, my voi

e me if I don't present a Luna tonight. And we still o

ould not recognize this man anymore. How coul

this morning. We reached an agreem

nd hit my fists on the wall, turning

You'll obey," he growled. "Your new owner is

heart felt a different p

ou in his pack. He has heard of you and your bravery," Damon

back. "Cassian? The Lycan King?

I have accepted. If you want to know, he's paid a mill

f them lau

rate voice. "He can't do this t

ords stopped me. "I wish it were diffe

"Let me stay please. This pack is my home. Please. I h

did he move. And then he

behind you," he said to me sud

ng this was all a nightmare

ionless. "Leave before

into going with him but I grabbed the guard myself as I stared at his face in

ome looked away. Some looked pleased. I didn't u

. He didn't need an introduction. Power radiated off him. The gua

d at me, and asked, "Did t

ad quickly, s

ian. Lycan King

rds pushed me inside after

thing looked bigger, quieter, more guarded. Even the air smelled cleaner. Tall buildings surrounded the large estate, standing firm

me I never thought I'd be tied to. The same pack we were warned never to cross. Th

other two led me through a long stone path. I walked in silence, my feet light, my chest tight. No

ifferent guard opened the door for us and stepped aside. I walked in slowly, my eyes scanning the fin

t the guards were gone. I was now inside the room with the Lycan King