Rejected, I chose his father

ra's

te my

on my back, staring at the ceiling of my small room, and

he pack's beta, Alaric Tavion. My father was one of the most respected men in Nightshade Pa

d

daug

kest wolf in the enti

weakest wolf in the

. I remembered the night as cle

o feel their first rush of power that marked their wolf's awakening. It was supp

ter, the way Velara squeezed my hand and whispered,

ieved

crack of bones. Not the fierce howl, not the beauti

w.... One pathetic, w

t. My gran

e whispers had

aughter has a

s cur

ght, never hunt,

tter how much he glared at them and shut down their words

as loved, I sti

eel of my palm

ght make it louder than the insults. And it was true, my fat

er, the way they looked at me li

hugging my pillow.

, strong, with black hair that shined with the sunlight and eyes so beautifully made. He

. Velara had been my best friend since we were kids, and even now, when m

and unafraid to throw back w

w what I'd d

ked at the far side of the beta's quarters. I barely decora

ly on the wall. It was my safe space, but even

lders, and stepped out. Almost immediately,

? She still h

e beta's daughter, of a

s daughter, she'd have

htening. They weren't

myself to keep walking,

rly. Out there was nothing but humiliation waiting f

xar

shoulders. Velara stood at the end of the corridor grinning

," she teased, bumping h

y eyes. "D

sobered when she caug

again, didn't

winced. "Sorry, I just.... I'm tired of it, Vel. Every single day it's the same

y hands, squeezi

hem matter. You're strong in your own way, even if they

shift. I can't hunt. I

smarter than half the idiots out there. That's strength, Nyx. Just bec

. Velara always had a way of making me feel l

. "What would I

er, eating bread and muttering about ho

out of me. "Y

he shot back, linkin

t into the courtyard,

ore them, but

hem win. Hold your he

orced myself to walk as though t

irl," Velara

g field and sat down on the grass. Vel

ceremony's comin

pped. "Yeah

r head toward

Lucian will choose you,

ushed m

lar

sitting up and poking my arm. "You've been in love

ce in my hands

ng, smart, brave... and he actually trea

maybe that's because he sees

ed, but doubt qu

es someone else? Someone who's... normal," I as

s a fool. And honestly? If he doesn't

carrying a basket of linens. She glanced at

te at the next mating ceremony, e

eath

. Choosi

ned with a mix

it b