Thorn
he forest swallowed me whole, hiding me from any prying eyes. The moment I
ainful gasps. The adrenaline that had fueled my defiance drained away, leavin
ating Mark. It was still burning, a constant, a
d, her earlier rage now a wounded cr
barely eighteen, seeing Ryker for the first time. The world had tilted on its axis. The air had crackled with an energy I now kne
ight, echoed in the ruins of my heart. "You are my
steps crunching on the forest
ke
erous mask of fury. Faye, thankfully, wa
g grip. "How dare you embarrass me in front of
ubbling up from my chest. "Your pack? I believe it's *our*
ime, I saw nothing of the man I loved. There was no wa
ering and flaunted her in my face! You speak to me of embarr
ickly morphed into defensive anger. "Faye needed me! She's be
y tongue. "You want me to show compassio
tense negotiations with rival packs to secure our borders. The hours spent comforting grieving families. The jagged scar on
ng the southern border for us, where were you, Ryker? You were
ing our warriors back to health after th
my body, my soul! What has she given you besides whis
r, and I was twisting
se it was all true. He had no defense against my record, against my ded
olitical partner," he said, his voice flat
politica
, shattering the last fragile remnants of my hope. Th
filled my mouth. The w
t-crossed his face, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. He
. You will continue to be the Luna, and you wil
, to accept this monstrous arrangement.
face, and the last ember of love in my heart di
se it had become numbness. She slowly shook her head, her voice a mere whisper, "An order? You h
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