LOGINLike us.The words settle over me as I process what she means. This is somewhere that might accept me even when the law says I belong nowhere.Before I can ask another question, a knock sounds at the door.“Come in,” Jane calls, and a moment later, the door opens.An older woman steps inside, her ca
Layla’s POVI notice how quiet it is first.Not the eerie silence that comes with a dark forest or the awkward silence that comes at the end of arguments. No, this silence is soft and still. Safe.It’s so nice that it takes me a minute to realize I’m surrounded by warmth.That in itself pulls me fur
Pain 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
“So that’s where she’s been in the evenings,” Camila mutters, catching my attention. Her nose turns up in disgust at the sight of her brother and my Delta… are they flirting? On a date?My head aches as I watch them, the pulses echoing in my chest as well.“It’s interesting,” Camila speaks again. “J
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
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







