ne R

- 3 Years Befo

ll Pack what a Luna should b

but s

ul but

never outshi

f that before I

ren't low-born either. We lived by the rules, trained hard, and believed in the Moon Goddess. I w

bond snapped into place - to Kade Tho

ira

e at me the first time

Of course," like fate had simply h

myself it

uld soften

ld love me

s wr

ear, he kep

ined," he said. "You weren

d, studied protocol and law and diplomacy. I learned how to dress lik

hile, I tried

the way mates were suppo

uty. Not

s to a

t. Because that'

he let me move in

idn't sh

ed a sc

long, he'd cut me off with a look. If I smiled too brightly, he'd remind me we weren't en

m if he regrette

without h

of time. You're h

I d

d for the elders, to suppress my wolf

a - fierce, silv

ed bein

ayed, for

believed the bond

year was

when Lili

nt Claw Pack. High-born. Charismatic. Arrogant

: unapologetic power, bloodline

followed her, the way he asked for her opinio

d to d

office one day and found

touc

t

nt was thick

t me with thinly

n't know this office c

n't corr

t def

ven look

so loud inside me I thou

still

hat's wha

Moon approached, I kne

t. Cold. Hars

ests to host the Luna blessing ceremony. Dismissed me

one night - just day

tall even as my heart tre

and for once, t

irrit

he said. "You were convenient. A

. "But t

a mi

ist

he added. "But Liliana... she understands what powe

hen h

ogy. No

the ceremony like a fool.

be sha

ll anyone a

was found bleedi

nto a strange room and wrapped m

staring at the firelight on t

brea

betr

that I wa

I wa

still

had su

ad to mean

ck broke t

, it wasn

and curly auburn hair pulled into a ponytail. She wor

ly. "I'm Mara. One

odd

not be hungry, but I t

have to talk. I just... wanted you to know that

lin

over the years. You're not the first Luna to be hurt by her Alpha.

t corre

n't w

coll

viving was en

go, but paused

and S

es

licated. But he's not cruel. If he brought you h

e alone with the te

ow, terrif

want to d