Seren
After learning the silver poison had sunk deep into my heart with no cure left, I secretly returned to the pack I'd left five years ago.
I just wanted to see Leon Frost one last time. The one who was now their Alpha.
Instead, I walked right into news that he was about to mate with his new chosen, Shelly Davis.
Worse—they caught me.
My mother had me in a wheelchair. Leon's eyes flickered with something unreadable when he saw me. He didn't speak. But Shelly sure did.
"Well. Look who finally crawled back. Five years and you look like hell. Can't even walk anymore?"
Her voice dripped with mockery. I held back the tears and tugged at my sleeve, hiding the decay spreading across my arms.
"It's nothing. Just tripped and hurt my leg."
Shelly's laugh cut through the air again. "Since Leon and I are holding our bonding ceremony, you should come witness it. Ten days from now. Full moon night."
I kept my face calm and forced a smile. "Can't make it. I'm heading somewhere far away."
Then I glanced at Leon—his face still empty, still silent—and signaled my mother to wheel me home.
The further he got, the harder the tears fell.
Leon, I wasn't lying. I have less than ten days. Before your ceremony even starts, I'll be gone.