61

“Tonight, on the night of the new moon, we honor their memory, and we celebrate the good tidings soon to come.”

Vince swallowed what remained in the bottle, and everyone around the circle did the same, including me and Tavi. After a few moments of reverent silence for their dead, the conversation slowly started up again. Tavi, with tears on her face, stood and walked a few yards away from the fire. I followed her.

My heart ached, knowing what the Kings had done over the years to maintain their dominance, and I mourned for the packs who had suffered because of them. Though I was never part of the Kings’ pack, I felt disgusted with myself for believing that place could ever be my home.

“Tavi, wait,” I said, catching up to her. “I had no idea—”

“I know, it’s okay.” Tavi turned to me, tears glimmering on her cheeks, her arms wrapped tight around herself. “It’s not something I like to talk about.”

“I don’t blame you.” It was startling to see someone who was normally a ball of sunshine be s