RISE OF THE LUNA

m was a dif

shed marble floors. Music drifted through the air-something elegant and old. Laughter rippled in waves, and the sce

, my borrowed dress clinging to me like guilt. It wasn't mine. Maura, the head cook

s half

Ava Rivers. Not unle

raining mats, who delivered towels to the she-wolves allowed to train in the gym, and who slept in

o be the same. Invisib

he en

Damon

ds, baring their necks. He strode in with the confidence of a man born to rule-broad shoulders wrapped in a midnight black su

d, ears twitch

, untouchable, hypnotic. He was also the reason for tonight's celebratio

unmated she-wolf he

shing his arm, offering drinks and stolen smiles. Damon nodded polite

dn't belong here. T

eight to leave, a sharp v

ou

didn't recognize the

mo

ck around. He was l

hroug

of heads swiveled in my directio

step closer. "W

was dry

as if testing the word on hi

rything

led. My wolf surged forward, howling, clawing at my chest. Something ancient f

art s

o, no

dn't be h

shock, disbelief, then

d into place li

as m

I wa

one to say it. I

Silver Hollow

ooked ho

like wind through tall grass. "The

vely, suddenly aware of

rse. His voice was strained, laced with c

t had been slapped. My w

w what to do

ouder now. "There's no way the Mo

ng bloomed

tried to hold the piec

s kept slici

athered wolves. "E

lroom emptied in record time, g

od fr

lowing faintly, power crackling

u doing here

aid-I didn't mean-" M

t have been a

dn't

"You were hoping. Just

to my palms. "T

d to be mated to an omega-one no one respects? O

apons, every syll

wasn'

stand beside me. Not someone who cowers

d my eyes. I refus

e this either,"

ed him. Fo

one. I was happy being invisible if it meant surviving. I don't want your title. I don't

en us stretched,

Goddess intended," he said a

e that, the

aws down my spine. I staggered

rejec

emony. Not

intent w

atened to tear from my throat. I w

d his ba

efore I

. Or how I got out of the dress. Or when the sobs

ve. Rejection didn't kill it, not completely. It just

ftly, licking wounds

pposed to

hated m

the pain dulled enoug

n blanket, staring at the moonlight

g, I told myself. You

t know if t

hout a heart was a di

rs... had take