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Chapter 4
“I was wondering why your balm stopped showing up and why my head kept spinning. So that’s it–I got hooked. Seraphina, you really are heartless.”
Atticus’s fingers clamped around my throat. His eyes bulged with fury.
Air vanished. He waited for me to beg. I refused.
He didn’t know that without the incense I made to shield his body, he wouldn’t last a month. I didn’t say it. He wouldn’t have believed me anyway.
When I stayed silent, his grip tightened–until a low, warning bark cut through the room.
Milo stood with his tail up, lips peeled back, a rumble building in his chest as he faced Atticus.
“Backstabbing mutt.
“}
Atticus kicked out. Milo slipped aside and darted clear.
We’d gotten the dog when Atticus and I first got together. The Alpha stayed busy with training and pack business, so Milo bonded with Ime.
I gasped for air, crouched to stroke Milo’s head, and sent him to the garden. Then I turned and went to pack. One suitcase was enough to hold my life.
A knock. Anya swept in and looped her arm through mine with practiced sweetness. “Luna, I was out of line today. I cooked a full dinner as an apology. Please?”
She steered me to the dining table. The spread was generous, the smell rich and warm.
Yet the meat glistening on the plate sent a ripple of unease through me.
Smiling, Anya picked up a piece and held it to my lips. “Try it, Luna.”
I didn’t move. Her gaze slid to Atticus.
He cleared his throat. “Once we finish, I’m moving out with Anya. After that, we leave each other alone. “}
There was nothing left to say. I took a bite.
The moment the meat touched my tongue, Anya slapped the table and burst out laughing. “Seraphina, doesn’t it taste familiar? It’s your favorite–Milo.”
My stomach heaved.
I doubled over the table and retched until there was nothing left, not even bile, then stumbled for the garden.
Milo wasn’t there. Only a heap of blood–soaked remains. A few warriors were rinsing the hide and chatting idly.
“Alpha really went all out. Killed the dog just to make Ms. Wetherell smile.”
“She said she wanted a rug. He said yes. If the Luna finds out, she’ll lose it.”
“Open your eyes. The future lady of the house is Ms. Wetherell.”
Tears tore loose. Pain shook me apart.
I ran back in and swung my hand, My slap cracked across Anya’s cheek, “Bitch.”
Atticus shoved me hard, rage spiking. “Anya was joking with you. Did you have to hit her? The dog was eight years old—how much longer would it have lived? I’ll buy you another.”
My forehead smashed the table’s edge. Blood slid hot down my cheek.
Chapter 4
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I stared at him through a haze, shaking with fury.
He reached for me, as if some half–buried instinct had twitched.
Anya clutched her belly and shrieked, “It hurts! My stomach–Seraphina, how can you be so cruel!”
I had slapped her face. She pinned it on the child.
Atticus swallowed it whole. He scooped her up and charged for the hospital. At the door he threw one last line over his shoulder. “If anything happens to our pup, you’ll pay.”
When they returned to the old house, the Elders of Nightfall Pack had already gathered…
Atticus’s glare was winter–cold. “Another stunt, Seraphina? Did you rally them to back you up?”
Before I could answer, Elder Soren rose and slammed the table. “We came on our own.”
He looked around the room of elders, then spoke, measured and grave. “After deliberation, we are unanimous. Atticus and Seraphina
will break the mate bond.”
