MasukPain flared in her hand where the rock sliced through her skin, and another broken whimper fell from her mouth.“I can’t…”She gasps for air, trying to ignore the pain radiating in her body.There was no warning before her legs gave out beneath her. She collapsed, the cold ground reaching up to pull
3rd Person POVThe path down the mountain was not forgiving for anyone, but the further Layla walked, the more difficult it became. The cold set in early, making her stiff and half numb—the trek feeling longer as her body fought against her with every step.At first, she thought she could make it. S
Layla’s POVThe forest feels different the moment I cross through the hidden path. It’s quieter here, the cold air like a blanket that softens every sound. Even my boots thumping against the stone sounds muffled.The soft crunch of snow and the whistling of the wind are the only sounds around me. I
The glare Alexander sends my way has no semblance of mercy or pity. The fire blazing in his eyes is pure, unadulterated loathing. Is this the same man I once loved?“Are you trying to make this worse?” Alexander demands, grabbing my shoulder. I pull back, nearly tripping under the weight of Ben’s bo
Layla’s POVThe pain subsides a bit as the medicine filters into my system, but I’d be lying if I said it completely healed me. It’s more like a quiet burning instead of a raging fire now, but the gashes along my body are still open and sore.So, I start bandaging myself up. I apply topical medicine
“I didn’t destroy anything,” he says. “You did that the moment you stopped acting like the Luna this pack needed.”For a split second, I can’t breathe.“I stopped?” I whisper, stepping into his space once again. I strike his chest, right over his heart, hard enough that he actually sways this time.
Layla’s POVLike the gentleman he is, Vincent escorts me back to the ballroom. The gown he provided swishes around my feet, like water crashing on the shore. My nerves shake, but I force myself to enter the ballroom with my head held high.I won’t give them the chance to tear me down when I’ve done
“Layla.”I grit my teeth at the achingly sweet voice before turning to find Camila climbing the stairs after me. She holds two glasses of dark red wine. I try to read her body language and facial expressions, but her fake smile keeps me from truly reading her.“I wanted to offer you congratulations
It wouldn’t hurt as much if the one replacing me was worthy. But she’s not. Camila is a novice, not worthy of taking the mantle I spent years building.Instead of hanging around, I decide to leave. If I’m not wanted here, I’ll go home. Maybe some time to myself will help me think of what I want to s
Layla’s POVWhat is she doing here?That weight of suspicion that’s been hanging over me ever since Camila showed up grows even heavier. She smiles as she talks with one of the other Alphas and his Beta, no doubt letting her sweet act come out.She’s trying to poison their minds, to turn them agains







