3

BRIANA

Suddenly, Drake lets out a piercing scream, his hand flying to his neck as if he's trying to tear something off. Through my tear-blurred eyes, I see it-his skin searing with the burgundy-red mark of betrayal. A jagged heart, split with three harsh lines, burns itself into his flesh.

The pack gasps. Some wolves stare in shock, others whisper in horror, and a few... a few actually smirk as if enjoying my pain.

Agony shoots through me like fire. The mate bond that we sealed last night, when Drake held me close and made love to me, now twists and shatters inside me.

Every breath feels like knives. Each heartbeat feels like my chest will split open. I clutch my stomach, crying, choking on the pain, waiting for the fire to consume me whole.

And then-just like that-it fades.

I force my eyes open. Drake is standing straight now, breathing hard, the torment on his face gone. He looks at me coldly, his voice rough and final.

"We are no longer mates, Briana."

The words slice through me deeper than claws ever could.

My rage pushes past my heartbreak, boiling over. Without thinking, I lunge at him. My hands twist into claws, and before he can move, I rake them across his face. His scream tears through the air as his blood splatters warm against my fingers. A scar-my scar-will forever mark him.

And why shouldn't it? He knew. He knew he was promised to Laura Joss for years. He knew our love was forbidden. Yet he still took my innocence last night. Still made me believe we had forever.

Strong arms wrap around me, pulling me back before I can strike again. I breathe in the familiar scent of David, Drake's uncle by marriage, my godfather, and my late father's closest friend. He murmurs in my ear, steady and calm, "Briana, enough. Stop. He'll carry that scar for life. You've done enough."

I tremble, shaking with fury, but I let David's words sink in. My chest heaves as I drag in a deep breath, forcing myself to still.

Then Alpha Marcus steps forward, his voice booming with anger.

"Briana George! You have disgraced this pack!"

My head snaps toward him. Rage lights my veins. He's the one who disgraced me, stripped me of my beta rank-the last gift I had from my parents before they were killed last year. He made me an omega without hearing my truth. He made Drake reject me.

I glare, my voice breaking but fierce.

"No, Marcus. You and your son are the disgrace of Moonveil Pack! My parents gave their lives for you-for this pack-and this is how you repay me?"

The pack stirs uneasily, whispers of disapproval rising against Marcus and Drake.

Marcus snarls, spit flying as he rages.

"It is because of your parents' sacrifice that I allow you even this much!"

His eyes blaze with hatred as he delivers the final blow.

"Briana George, you are no longer a member of Moonveil Pack. You have until midnight to leave this territory, or you will be hunted as a rogue and put down."

The words crash over me like thunder. I feel the pack bond snap, like my very heart being ripped apart. My body shudders, and for a moment, it feels like my soul stops breathing. The weight of omega shackles falls away, and my true beta blood flares in my veins once more.

In half an hour, I've gone from beta... to omega... to nothing but a rogue.

"Marcus, this is madness!" David roars back at the alpha.

But Marcus only sneers.

"No, David. This is justice. If you think I have gone too far, then leave with her. See how long you last."

David opens his mouth, but another voice cuts through the air.

"Then we will leave."

Everyone turns.

Linda Bruce, Marcus' elder sister, strides forward with her head held high. Her figure wavers before my eyes, blurred by the waves of pain and rejection crashing through me. But her voice is strong, unshakable.

"Moonveil Pack is nothing but liars and snakes. I will not stand by my brother while he destroys what our family built."

I shake my head weakly, wanting to protest, to stop her from severing her family bond for my sake. But my legs buckle. My vision darkens.

David catches me before I hit the ground, holding me firmly against his chest. His voice is low, steady, for me alone.

"Don't fight it, Briana. Rest. If Linda says we're leaving, then we're leaving."

I try to push away, to stay awake, but the pain, mixed with the lingering wolfsbane in my blood, drags me under. My eyelids fall shut, and the last thing I hear is Linda's voice rising in a storm of defiance against Alpha Marcus.

Then darkness swallows me whole.