A'S

r how I made it

ugh pain and darkness. I crawled along the pavement, my burn

a broken rasp. "Someone...

tes, I kept dragg

walked by. No one st

zing inch at a time until, finall

Lyra? Can

her arm and barked, "

ar. The pack hospital.

d out of focus as he examine

en permanently affected, but you'll be in significant pain for a while, Lu

ld on

ontact the Alpha, Luna?

ntended. "Don't call anyone. Cassian can

, Lu

left I could

. I flinched at the vibratio

ha

with trembl

d through the speaker. "Yet you're nowhere t

d. I need one more day. Just one more day to g

"Do you need me to come get you

my injured eyes. "I'

tretched

? Once you're in, there's no b

rs threatening to spill. "I've never b

ct me when y

d, and I immediat

yr

e papers immediately and have t

old you before. It won't

through gritted teeth. "And tell no

esit

have them ready

hung up before he c

d Cassian Voss had no idea

~~~~~

one, my injured eyes hidden behind dark glasses from the hospital and my burned wrist wra

h paperwork spread across the coffee table. He didn't look up or ask where I'd b

dn't

brina. Like her perfume,

table and placed an e

sign something,

" He still d

The lie came easily. "They need your a

nd signed without re

like

Five years of love, devotion, and sacrifice.

y fingers steady despi

s took effect tom

iara whispered. '

, but the front d

utched a stuffed rabbit. Her hair was disheveled, the hem of her dress

She kidnapped my daughter! Lyr

t them. "What are

y, pulling Natasha into his arms

ople to take me." Her little finger pointed at me. "They locke

stepping forward.

loser to Cassian. "Please don't hurt me

would never hurt yo

zing. "The kidnappers admitted they were hired by someone in this hou

ice rose. "I had noth

e mine." Sabrina's voice dripped with venom. "You can't stand to see anyone else hap

ver hurt any child. Especially Natasha.

e cold. "Explain the torn dress, the warehouse, the

didn't do!" I cried. "I had

y because you weren't worthy of being a mother, Lyra. The Moon Goddess knew what

t wound and shattered what

g for, the man who had just ripped open the most p

iara whispered. '

won't allow Natasha to stay in the

ha by the arm

weren't even there. I knew nothing I s

ty. "If they don't come back, Lyra, you're

bit my tongue. I refused to shed a

or five years protect another woman and ano

he didn't: he'd signe

I'd never have to

ay, and I'