ra
aid, her voice strangely flat. "T
just sounds, meaningless and absurd. "What a
curled her lip. "Oh, he's waiting, Liora. But
out a confused, heartbroken whimper. The word 'mate' was a sacred thi
A freshly inked silver rune shimmered on he
sigil of a Chosen Mate-a binding ritual an Alpha perf
ep from collapsing. My reflection stared back at me,
s a raw, ragged te
rational. "The Betas hold a lot of power. With their loyalty, his tr
m that strength. You have to understand. The pack's needs come before everything else." Her v
resided. It was the feeling of a fated connection beginning to fray, a spiri
block of ice. He hadn't just decided. He h
hed into a furious snarl. *Liar!
ue Alpha nature. I had to get out. I had to see him. But the facade h
ate. "No," I choked out, stumbling toward the door.
miliate yourself, Liora," she called
ns, the silver lanterns and moonflower garlands, seemed to mock me. I ran, the silk of my
hock and confusion. I could hear their whispers, their questions about
oming beacon leading me straight to the source of my pain. It pul
I could hear voices from within-Kade
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