POINT O

t of people. I tried to hide in the corner. I pressed my

ether near the back wall. They did not look at me.

. The high-rank wolves sat on benches. They lo

I had always been nothing. I did not

athers. Her hair was braided with silver threads.

saw me in the corner.

e said my name like i

t move. My heart

he said again. He

r. My hands were shaking

She was mean. She looked at my dress. My skinny b

d. She said it loud so everyone could

nything. I look

me, " s

ow no feelings. I had lear

t even look at you, " she said. "You are nothin

throat was dry.

led bad. "Remember that, " she said. "R

or. I stood there. The other wolves looked at me

back against the wall. I put my arms

e appeared out of nowhe

said. Her voice was low. "Sh

, " I said. "

othing, " she said. "You are my fri

ho had ever defended me. The only w

The room got quiet

face was hard. His eyes were cold. He wore

e looked at the crowd. His f

es of Ashborne we honor the moon tonight. We find

es. They walked to the center of the hall. Kael looked at them.

y heart beat fast. I wante

lf stirred. The Beta said they were a match. They walke

her name. She walked to the center of

ace did not change. His w

away. She waited.

said, "St

walked away. She was an

epped forward. Some were matched.

Beta call

fe steps

uiet. Every ey

d. My throat closed. The wolves stared at me. They loo

rm. "Go, " she sai

f the hall. My hands shook. My hea

is eyes on me. Heavy. Stron

body we

s face showed something. Something hu

f had f

oward me. They saw his chest move fas

ey said, "The Alpha? The

thing stirred in my chest. A warm feeling.

front of me. He looked at my dress. My skinn

ent away. His eyes got cold. C

ck. He looked at Lira. He looked at

w his pride win. I saw him de

er be alone than be ti

mpty. My knees buckled. My vision

ryone. He had called me bad. He had

ey laughed at me. Th

ghed the

hall. I ran through the k

. I screamed into my hands. I cried until my thr

had felt the pull.. He h

Now I was les

irred. Something warm. Some

empty inside. His wolf was not making a sound. Kael did not get what was

he woman who was me

en was already starting to happen to Kael.