eady hands. In the fancy mirror before her, a woman stared back, looking proud but unsure. Her reflection seemed almost

smoothing her dress, something she pick

months, pulling away more each day. Laura had told herself it was just the weight of being a leader pr

wn, there was only emptiness. Three years as Kieran's Luna, and still no child. Though he never sai

ock broke her though

athering her broken calm. "

er stomach. She had given up everything for Kieran, her spot as the pack's stron

her mother had told her once. Bu

ver waited for her outside these doors, s

among the gathered wolves. Warriors who once stood proud beside her now looked away. Omegas bowed their heads lowe

ra's spine. Somethin

er, showing the heart of the pack house. Inside, members of every rank stood stiffly in place. The smell of pine and woodsmoke hung hea

as she entered, then

n she s

eather clothes, silver badges of rank shining against the black. The s

houlders, and her dress, if you could call such a tiny thing a dress, hugged her body like a second ski

And with a scent that made Laur

rt

ell from her lips, s

ng out across the quiet room, clear and cold as wi

d she was sure everyone could hear it. The whispers aroun

ng into something that wasn't quite a smil

al blow. Around her, people gaspe

her nails into her palms, the sharp pain keeping her in

ady despite the shaking in her soul. "I didn't know our l

idden victory. "Such a shame," she purred, each word dripping

Not a single voice spoke up for her

elf in, now cold and judging. "You were never strong enough," he said, each word

fell dead

something deeper, more basic. The mate bond, stretched thin ov

erything. Her strength. H

ow he paid bac

ith sudden clarity,

ever

been her family, surrounded by downcast eyes and coward

ever

as something wild and dan

er sh