LOGINEllie’s POVSneaking out of my own house wasn’t something I thought I would ever have to do again after the ripe age of sixteen. Those days should have been long behind me, right along with high school crushes and underaged drinking in the woods.But now here I was. Putting on dark clothes, waiting
I put my bag back on my shoulder and went to the academy.I sat through two classes without retaining a single word of either of them, turning the same thought over in my head: Dominic was walking into something he had no idea was coming, and he refused to hear me, and the pack was going to pay for
Ellie’s POVThe moment I saw her standing there, I turned to leave. Of course, Vivian’s heels clicked against the floor as she fell into step behind me.“Hello, sister. Can we talk?” she asked.“I’m busy, Vivian.”“I just want to talk.”“And I just said I’m busy.” I pushed through the door at the en
Ellie’s POVDominic’s eyes landed on me like two knives slicing across the space between us. He made no effort to hide the disdain he harbored for me in that gaze. I supposed I made little effort on my end, either.He walked up to us. Looked between me and Ryan with that familiar glint of jealousy i
Ellie’s POVDays passed, and nothing changed. Not in any ways that mattered, at least.I didn’t see Dominic much during those days. He spent most of his time out of the house, and I spent most of my time at the healer academy, going through the motions of studying and attending classes without reall
Dominic shook his head. “Oh, sure. Because acting like a good husband, giving you the space you want, trying my damnedest to show you that I care, is totally what’s been driving you away.”“You know what?” I clenched my fists. “I don’t need to do this right now. Or ever. You’re drunk, and you’re act
Vivian POV I am not nervous.Nervousness is for girls who don’t plan.I smooth my gloves as I stand at the edge of the ballroom, breathing in candle smoke and polished marble, letting the music settle into my bones. Every detail tonight has been chosen with intention, every curl pinned just so, and
This time, I’m not soaked.And no one was hurt.My hand presses to my temple. Thank gods.The applause hasn’t even finished fading when Vivian’s voice cuts through it.“She rigged it!” She points innocently. “I’m sorry! But! She did!”The room stills.I turn just in time to see her step forward, loo
Dominic POV The moment her voice cuts through the ballroom, my body goes still.I whip around.There’s no way she—She’s…on the damn stage.“Shit,” I mutter under my breath. “You little—”“I reject the bond,” Ellie says, and it hits like a blade sliding straight between my ribs. “I always have.”My
I stop walking and check it.My parents.Right….It was coming up.I stare at the screen for a long moment before answering.Sure, why not. Perfect timing for another train wreck.—Ellie POVA few days have passed and my ankle has strong strong enough to walk on, mostly without a limp.But that did







