Elara’s POV:Three goddamn hours.Three hours of walking in the freezing, sodden dark, feeling every single bump, bruise, and the dull, nasty ache in my ribs. My shoes were ruined, my coat was heavy with water, and I smelled like a wet dog rolled in a dumpster. I didn't just feel weak; I felt completely degraded.When I finally reached the Pack perimeter, the guards didn't even pretend to hide their contempt."Well, look who the tide dragged in," one of them sneered, leaning against the checkpoint gate."Rough night, Luna?" the other chuckled, using my title like a rusty knife.I just stared, too tired to summon up a comeback. My silence, of course, was taken as confirmation of my pathetic state."Should have shifted, Elara," the first one said, his voice dropping just loud enough to cut through the rain. "A real Mate would've had her wolf to protect her from a little puddle."I could feel the hatred and pity dripping off them. They were right. If I had a wolf, I wouldn't have been
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