My father’s fists clenched. “I’ll kill him,” he growled, his eyes flashing gold. My mother put a hand on his arm, but that fire didn’t go out.“No,” I said firmly. “I don’t want anyone to do anything. I just want to put it all behind me.”A heavy silence fell over the room. Finally, I looked up at m
HannahI was in my room, trying to distract myself with a book, when I heard the crunch of tires on gravel.My heart leapt as I immediately recognized the red car pulling up the sunlit driveway. Viona.Without thinking, I tossed the book aside and raced down the stairs, nearly tripping over my own f
HannahThat gaudy ring flashing on Zoe’s finger felt like an insult.And it was. Noah had gotten engaged to her mere days after our own divorce had gone through. Three days—that was all it had been since I collapsed in the foyer of my childhood home. Three days since I had keened and dug gouges into
“I want lots of red and gold,” I told my father. “And I want a banner with a phoenix on it.”My ceremonial gown was the real star of the show. Bright red and gold skirts that glittered when I moved, made of the finest silk that pooled around my legs like liquid fire. The neckline was off the shoulde
HannahThe scent of roasted meats and freshly baked bread wafted through the air, mingling with the perfumes and colognes of the attendees. My new crown, though light, felt heavy and unfamiliar around my head as I took my seat.My throne overlooked the feast reveling below me. Guests swirled around
Suddenly, I stood and dropped to one knee before her. “The honor is mine. I pledge my loyalty to you.”The Luna Queen laughed. “Rise, Hannah. There’s no need to kneel. We’re friends.”Friends. I never thought I would hear the Luna Queen herself refer to me as such a thing, but it made my heart soar.
HannahMy stomach dropped as I read that message over and over.“Hey, Alpha. Long time no chat.”WhiteRabbit had returned. Somehow, and for reasons I didn’t yet understand, that elusive internet vendor who had once sold me contraceptive-laced diet pills had returned.“What do you want?” I typed back
Part of me felt a twisted sense of satisfaction at this news, the ember of hurt still glowing faintly in my chest.But I pushed those feelings aside, focusing instead on the needs of my own pack—and my baby’s upcoming birth. He never attended any meetings with me, anyway. I never saw or heard from h