"Are you absolutely sure about this?"

Petra, my best friend since childhood, stared at me from across her kitchen table. Her brown eyes were wide with concern, and maybe a little bit of fear.

I took a sip of the coffee she'd made me. It was too hot and burned my tongue, but I didn't care. I welcomed the pain. It was nothing compared to the emptiness where my mate bond used to be.

"Yes," I said firmly. "I'm sure."

"Hailey, this is crazy. Do you even hear yourself right now? Seduce Alpha Lucian? The Alpha? Jude's father?"

"That's exactly the point, Petra. It has to be him."

She shook her head, her short brown hair swaying. "But why? Why not just... I don't know, move on? Find someone else? There are plenty of unmated males in the pack-"

"I don't want someone else!" The words came out harsher than I intended. I took a breath, trying to calm down. "I need Jude to pay. I need him to understand what he did to me."

"And sleeping with his father will accomplish that?"

"Yes."

Petra was quiet for a long moment. Then she leaned forward, her voice dropping to a whisper even though we were alone in her small house.

"Do you really think the Alpha would even look at you that way? I mean, you're twenty years old, Hailey. He's forty-five. He's been alone since his Luna left fifteen years ago. He hasn't shown interest in any she-wolf since then. What makes you think-"

"I'll make him interested," I interrupted. "I have to try, Petra. I can't just... I can't just let this go. The bond is broken, but the pain isn't. My wolf isn't. She's screaming for revenge every second of every day."

That was true. Since the rejection three days ago, my wolf had been nearly feral with rage. The only thing keeping her calm was the promise of vengeance.

Petra sighed and reached across the table to take my hand. "I'm worried about you. This isn't like you."

"The old me is gone," I said flatly. "She died the moment I walked into that bedroom."

Before Petra could respond, there was a knock at the door. We both froze.

"Petra? You home?" a male voice called.

"It's Dave," Petra whispered. "My brother. I forgot he was coming by."

"Let him in. It's fine."

Petra went to the door and opened it. Dave walked in, tall and broad-shouldered, with the same brown hair as his sister. His eyes found me immediately, and his expression darkened.

"Hailey. I heard what happened. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I lied.

"No, you're not. None of us would be." Dave pulled out a chair and sat down. "Jude's an idiot. What he did... it's unforgivable."

"Yes, it is."

"Lucy, too. How could she do that to her own sister?" Dave shook his head in disgust. "The whole pack is talking about it. Everyone's on your side, you know. Jude and Lucy are being shunned."

Good, I thought viciously. But it wasn't enough. It would never be enough.

"Where are you staying?" Dave asked. "I heard Jude moved back in with the Alpha."

My hands clenched around my coffee mug. "I'm still in my cabin. It's mine. My parents left it to me, not him."

"And Lucy?"

"I don't know and I don't care."

That was a lie, too. I knew exactly where Lucy was. She'd gone back to live with our parents. Our mother had called me seventeen times since the rejection. I hadn't answered once.

"Listen," Dave said, leaning forward. "If you need anything, I'm here. Petra's here. You don't have to go through this alone."

"Thank you," I said, and I meant it. But they couldn't help me with what I needed to do.

After Dave left, Petra turned back to me. "When are you planning to... you know. Make your move on the Alpha?"

"Tonight."

"Tonight? But how? You can't just walk up to him-"

"There's a pack meeting tonight. All adults are required to attend. He'll be there."

Petra's mouth opened, then closed. "Hailey, please think about this. Once you start down this path, there's no going back."

"I don't want to go back," I said, standing up. "I only want to move forward. And if I have to destroy Jude to do it, then that's exactly what I'll do."

I left Petra's house and walked through the pack lands. It was midday, and wolves were everywhere. Some were in human form, going about their daily business. Others were in wolf form, running through the woods.

Several people stopped to stare at me as I passed. Word had definitely spread about the rejection. I could see pity in some eyes, disgust in others. A few she-wolves even gave me sympathetic smiles.

I hated it. All of it.

"Hailey, wait!"

I turned to see Tricia jogging toward me. She was one of the pack's warriors, strong and fierce, with short blonde hair and sharp blue eyes.

"Hey," she said, slightly breathless. "I've been looking for you."

"Why?"

"Because I wanted to tell you that what Jude did was shit. Complete shit. And if you need someone to accidentally kick his ass during training, I'm your girl."

Despite everything, I felt my lips twitch into an almost-smile. "Thanks, Tricia."

"I'm serious. Just say the word." She paused, then added more quietly, "I also wanted to warn you. Lucy's been telling people that you overreacted. That the rejection was too harsh."

White-hot rage flared through me. "She said what?"

"Yeah. She's playing the victim. Saying that you and Jude were having problems anyway, and she and Jude are actually in love. It's disgusting."

My wolf snarled inside me. In love? They were in love?

"Where is she?" I asked, my voice deadly calm.

"I don't know, and honestly, you shouldn't go looking for her. It's not worth it."

Maybe Tricia was right. Maybe confronting Lucy would accomplish nothing.

But making her watch as I seduced Jude's father? That would accomplish everything.

"I have to go," I told Tricia. "But thank you. For everything."

"Anytime. And Hailey? For what it's worth, you deserve so much better than Jude. You always did."

I went back to my cabin and started preparing. The pack meeting was at eight o'clock. That gave me five hours.

I showered, taking my time, letting the hot water wash away three days of pain and tears. Then I stood in front of my closet, trying to decide what to wear.

What did one wear to seduce an Alpha?

I settled on a simple black dress. It was fitted, showing off my curves without being too obvious. The neckline was just low enough to be interesting. I paired it with heels-something I rarely wore-and let my long black hair fall loose down my back.

When I looked in the mirror, I barely recognized myself. My blue eyes looked different. Harder. Colder.

Good.

I arrived at the pack house just before eight. The meeting was being held in the great hall, a massive room that could hold the entire pack. Wolves were already filing in, talking in low voices.

I walked in with my head held high, ignoring the stares and whispers. I found a seat near the front. Not too close, but close enough that the Alpha would see me.

"Hailey?"

I turned to see Teddy, one of the pack's enforcers. He was looking at me with concern.

"Are you sure you want to be here?" he asked quietly. "Jude will be here. Lucy, too, probably."

"I know."

"Okay. Just... if you need anything, I'm right here."

The hall filled up quickly. I kept my eyes forward, but I was hyper-aware of everything around me. When Jude walked in, I felt it. Not through the mate bond-that was gone forever-but through the shift in the room's energy.

I turned, unable to help myself.

Jude stood near the back, looking uncomfortable. When his eyes met mine, he looked away quickly. Coward.

Lucy walked in a moment later. She saw me and her face went pale. She moved to stand next to Jude, and I saw him take her hand.

My wolf growled, low and dangerous.

Then the side door opened, and Alpha Lucian walked in.

The entire room fell silent.

He was massive, even in human form. Tall and broad, with dark hair that was just starting to gray at the temples. His face was hard, all sharp angles and authority. But it was his eyes that caught me.

Silver. Like moonlight.

And they were looking directly at me.

I couldn't breathe. For a moment, I forgot about my plan, forgot about revenge, forgot about everything except those silver eyes fixed on mine.

Then he looked away, moving to the front of the room, and I could breathe again.

"Thank you all for coming," Alpha Lucian said, his voice deep and commanding. "We have several matters to discuss tonight."

But I didn't hear what he said next. I was too busy noticing the way his eyes kept drifting back to me.

He was watching me.

And suddenly, I realized something that made my heart race.

Maybe seducing the Alpha wouldn't be as difficult as I thought.

"The rogues at the eastern border have been dealt with."

Alpha Lucian's voice filled the great hall as he addressed the pack. I should have been listening to his words, focusing on pack business, but all I could think about was the way his eyes kept finding mine.

It wasn't my imagination. Every few minutes, his silver gaze would sweep across the room and land on me for just a moment too long.

My wolf purred with satisfaction.

"Additionally," the Alpha continued, "we'll be increasing patrols along the northern territory. I want teams of four, rotating every six hours."

I shifted in my seat, crossing my legs slowly. The movement made my dress ride up slightly. I saw the Alpha's eyes flick down, just for a second, before he forced his attention back to the crowd.

Good.

"Are there any questions?" he asked.

Silence. No one questioned the Alpha. Not directly.

"Then this meeting is-"

"I have a question."

The voice came from the back of the room. Jude.

My whole body tensed. What was he doing?

Alpha Lucian's expression darkened slightly. "Speak, Jude."

"Father, I... I wanted to address the situation with my rejected mate bond."

No. No, no, no. He wouldn't dare-

"There's nothing to address," the Alpha said coldly. "You betrayed your mate. The bond is broken. The matter is closed."

"But Father-"

"I said the matter is closed." The Alpha's voice dropped to a growl that made everyone in the room shrink back. Everyone except me.

I turned around to look at Jude. His face was red with embarrassment and anger. Lucy stood beside him, her hand on his arm, trying to pull him back.

"She rejected me," Jude said, his voice rising. "She didn't even give me a chance to explain-"

"You were in bed with her sister!" someone shouted from the crowd.

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the hall.

"Explain that!" another voice called out.

"Enough!" Alpha Lucian's command silenced everyone instantly. He stepped down from the platform, his massive frame radiating power and danger. "Jude, you will not make excuses for your actions. You dishonored your mate. You dishonored this pack. You are lucky I didn't banish you myself."

"Lucky?" Jude's voice cracked. "You call this lucky? I lost my mate! My wolf is dying inside me!"

"Then you should have thought of that before you betrayed her."

The Alpha turned away from his son dismissively and faced the pack again. "This meeting is over. Return to your duties."

People started filing out, whispering to each other. I stood up slowly, making sure to catch the Alpha's attention again.

Our eyes met. Held.

Something passed between us. Something dangerous and electric that made my skin tingle.

Then he turned and walked toward his office, the crowd parting before him like water.

I took a deep breath. This was it. This was my moment.

I started walking toward the hallway that led to his office, my heels clicking against the floor.

"Hailey, wait."

I froze. That voice.

I turned slowly to find Jude standing behind me, his green eyes pleading.

"Don't," I said coldly. "Don't say my name. You lost that right."

"Please, I just need to talk to you. Five minutes. That's all I'm asking."

"No."

"Hailey, please-"

"She said no, Jude."

Teddy appeared at my side, his arms crossed over his broad chest. His expression was hard as stone.

"This is between me and Hailey," Jude snapped.

"There is no 'you and Hailey' anymore," Teddy replied. "You made sure of that when you screwed her sister."

Jude's face twisted with anger. "This is none of your business, Teddy."

"It became my business when you hurt a member of this pack. When you dishonored all of us with your actions."

Other wolves were starting to gather, watching the confrontation. I could see Lucy hovering nearby, her face anxious.

"I don't have time for this," I said, turning away from Jude. "I have somewhere to be."

"Where? Where are you going?" Jude demanded.

I looked over my shoulder and smiled. It wasn't a kind smile. "None of your business. Not anymore."

I walked away, feeling his eyes burning into my back. Good. Let him wonder. Let him worry.

The hallway to the Alpha's office was empty and quiet. My heart pounded as I approached the heavy wooden door.

Was I really going to do this?

My wolf growled in encouragement. Yes. We were.

I raised my hand to knock, then hesitated. What would I even say? "Hi, Alpha, I want to seduce you to get revenge on your son"?

Before I could decide, the door swung open.

Alpha Lucian stood there, his silver eyes boring into mine. Up close, he was even more intimidating. Taller. Broader. The scent of him-pine and earth and raw power-made my wolf sit up and take notice.

"Hailey Moreno," he said, my name a rumble in his chest. "I wondered if you would come."

I blinked, surprised. "You... knew I would come here?"

"I know many things." He stepped aside, gesturing into his office. "Come in. We need to talk."

I hesitated for only a moment before walking past him into the office. The room was large, dominated by a massive desk and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. A fire crackled in the fireplace, casting dancing shadows on the walls.

The door closed behind me with a soft click.

We were alone.

"Sit," the Alpha said, gesturing to one of the leather chairs in front of his desk.

I sat, acutely aware of how short my dress was, how exposed I felt under his gaze.

He didn't sit behind his desk. Instead, he leaned against it, his arms crossed, looking down at me.

"Why are you here, Hailey?"

The question was simple, but loaded. I chose my words carefully.

"I wanted to thank you," I said. "For what you said at the meeting. About Jude."

"I said nothing that wasn't true. My son dishonored his mate bond. He dishonored you. He deserves every bit of shame he feels."

There was genuine anger in his voice. Disgust, even. It surprised me.

"Most fathers would defend their sons," I said quietly.

"Most sons don't deserve defending." He was quiet for a moment, then added, "I'm sorry for what he did to you. No wolf should ever experience a broken mate bond, especially not through betrayal."

The sympathy in his voice made something crack inside my chest. I hadn't expected kindness from him. I'd expected power, authority, maybe even interest. But not this.

"I'm fine," I lied.

"No, you're not. I can see the pain in your eyes. Your wolf is damaged."

"She'll heal."

"Will she?" He tilted his head, studying me. "Or will she simply learn to live with the rage?"

My breath caught. How did he know?

"You're wondering how I know," he continued, as if reading my mind. "It's because I've felt it, too. When my mate left, when she rejected our bond and disappeared, I thought I would die from the pain. My wolf wanted nothing but revenge for years."

"What did you do?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"I learned to channel it. To use it. To become stronger because of it, not in spite of it."

He moved then, walking around his desk to pour himself a drink from a crystal decanter. Whiskey, from the smell of it.

"Would you like one?" he asked.

"Yes."

He poured a second glass and handed it to me. Our fingers brushed, and I felt a jolt of electricity shoot up my arm.

From the way his eyes flashed, he felt it, too.

"You know," he said, sitting down in the chair next to mine instead of behind his desk, "you're playing a dangerous game, Hailey Moreno."

My heart stopped. "What do you mean?"

"Coming here. Wearing that dress. Looking at me the way you've been looking at me all night." His silver eyes held mine captive. "Did you think I wouldn't notice?"

Heat flooded my face. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Liar." He took a sip of his whiskey, never breaking eye contact. "You want revenge on my son. I understand that. What I don't understand is why you think using me is the way to get it."

I couldn't breathe. He knew. He'd known the whole time.

"I'm not-" I started, but he held up his hand.

"Don't insult my intelligence. You're here because you want to seduce me. You want Jude to know that you've moved on, that you've moved up. To an Alpha. To his father."

I should have been embarrassed. Ashamed, even. But I wasn't. Instead, I felt a strange sense of relief.

"You're right," I said, lifting my chin. "That's exactly why I'm here."

He smiled. It wasn't a kind smile. It was dangerous. Predatory.

"Finally. Honesty." He leaned forward, his face close to mine. "Let me be honest with you in return, Hailey. I've been watching you for a long time. Long before my son claimed you as his mate."

My heart hammered against my ribs. "What?"

"You were eighteen when the mate bond snapped into place between you and Jude. Do you remember what happened the day before?"

I thought back. That was two years ago. The day before my eighteenth birthday, I'd been...

"I was running in the woods," I said slowly. "In wolf form. I'd been training."

"You were. And I was there, watching from the shadows. I saw you take down a deer twice your size. I saw your strength, your grace, your determination. And I wanted you."

The admission hung in the air between us, heavy and dangerous.

"But then the next day, the mate bond snapped into place between you and my son. And I had to watch as you gave yourself to him. As you smiled at him. As you loved him."

His voice had gone rough, almost angry.

"I've been watching you for two years, Hailey. Watching and waiting and hating myself for wanting my son's mate. And now you come to me, offering yourself for revenge. Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?"

I should have been scared. I should have run.

But my wolf was practically singing inside me.

"I'm not afraid of you," I whispered.

"You should be." He reached out and traced his finger along my jawline. The touch sent shivers down my spine. "Because if you start this, if you really want to play this game, I won't be gentle. I won't hold back. And when it's over, when you've had your revenge and Jude is broken at your feet, you'll be mine. Completely and utterly mine."

"That's not how this works," I said, but my voice was shaky. "This is just revenge. Nothing more."

He laughed, a dark, knowing sound.

"Keep telling yourself that, little wolf. But we both know the truth." He stood up, towering over me. "You're attracted to me. You have been since you walked into that meeting hall tonight. Maybe even before."

"I'm not-"

"Your scent gives you away. Arousal has a very distinctive smell."

Heat flooded my entire body. Oh, Goddess. Could he really smell that?

"Don't be embarrassed," he said, his voice dropping to a purr. "I'm aroused, too. I have been since I saw you in that dress."

This was spiraling out of control. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. I was supposed to be in control, to seduce him, to use him for my revenge.

But somehow, I was the one being seduced.

"I should go," I said, standing up quickly.

"Running away already?" He blocked my path to the door. "I thought you wanted revenge."

"I do. But not like this. Not-"

"Not what? Not with me in control?" He stepped closer, his body nearly touching mine. "That's the problem with revenge, Hailey. Once you start playing with fire, you're going to get burned."

"Maybe I want to get burned."

The words left my mouth before I could stop them.

His eyes flashed silver-his wolf surging forward.

"Be very careful what you wish for," he growled.

Then he stepped aside, clearing the path to the door.

"Go home, Hailey. Think about what you really want. Because if you come to me again, if you knock on this door one more time, there's no going back. Do you understand?"

I nodded, not trusting my voice.

I walked to the door on shaky legs. Just as I reached it, his voice stopped me.

"Hailey?"

I turned.

"That dress looks very good on you. Wear it again next time."

I fled.

I didn't sleep that night.

How could I? Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Alpha Lucian's silver gaze. I felt his finger tracing my jaw. I heard his voice: You'll be mine. Completely and utterly mine.

"This is wrong," I whispered to the darkness of my bedroom. "This is all wrong."

My wolf disagreed. She'd been restless all night, pacing inside my mind, wanting to go back to him.

He wants us, she purred. The Alpha wants us.

"He wants to control us. There's a difference."

Is there?

I threw off my blankets and got out of bed. It was five in the morning, still dark outside. I needed to run. I needed to clear my head.

I stripped off my pajamas and shifted, letting my white wolf burst free. The change was painful-it always was now, after the broken bond-but I gritted my teeth through it.

Once in wolf form, I slipped out through the back door and into the woods.

The forest was quiet this early, peaceful. I ran hard, pushing my body to its limits, trying to outrun my thoughts.

It didn't work.

He's been watching us for two years, my wolf reminded me. Wanting us. Waiting.

"That doesn't make it right. He's Jude's father."

Jude betrayed us. Jude deserves whatever pain we cause him.

She had a point. But this thing with Alpha Lucian was getting complicated. I'd wanted simple revenge-seduce the Alpha, make Jude jealous, break his heart the way he'd broken mine.

But the Alpha had turned the tables on me. He'd made it clear that if I pursued this, he would be the one in control. Not me.

I was so lost in thought that I didn't notice the other wolf until it was too late.

A massive black wolf stepped out of the shadows in front of me, blocking my path.

I skidded to a halt, my hackles rising. But then I caught the scent.

Alpha Lucian.

Of course it was him.

He shifted to human form in a fluid motion that spoke of centuries of practice. He stood before me, completely naked and utterly unashamed, his silver eyes glowing in the pre-dawn darkness.

"Shift," he commanded.

I hesitated. I was naked under my fur, and shifting would leave me just as exposed as he was.

"Shift, Hailey. Now."

The Alpha command in his voice left me no choice. My wolf couldn't disobey. I shifted back to human form, immediately wrapping my arms around myself to cover my nakedness.

"You were right to run," he said, taking a step closer. "But you can't outrun this. Whatever this is between us."

"There's nothing between us. This was a mistake. I shouldn't have come to your office last night. I'm sorry."

"Liar." He closed the distance between us in two long strides. "You feel it, just like I do. This pull. This... need."

"It's not real. It's just-"

"Just what? Just revenge? Just a game?" He grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him. "Tell me you don't feel anything when I touch you. Tell me your wolf isn't begging you to submit right now."

I couldn't tell him that. Because it would be a lie.

My wolf was practically howling inside me, wanting him to touch us more, to claim us, to-

"I can't do this," I whispered, pulling away from him. "I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because it's wrong! You're Jude's father!"

"And Jude is the one who betrayed you. The one who broke your bond. The one who chose your sister over you." His voice softened slightly. "Why do you still care what he thinks?"

"I don't care what he thinks. I care about-" I stopped, frustrated. "I don't know what I care about anymore. Everything is so confused."

He was quiet for a moment, studying me. Then he did something unexpected. He took off his jacket-where had that come from?-and wrapped it around my shoulders.

"You're cold," he said simply.

The gesture was so tender, so unexpected, that tears sprang to my eyes. I blinked them back furiously.

"Go home, Hailey," he said, his voice gentler now. "Get some rest. Clear your head. And when you've decided what you really want, come find me."

"What if I decide I don't want this? Don't want... you?"

A smile tugged at his lips. "Then I'll accept that. I won't force you into anything you don't want."

"Really?"

"Really." He paused. "But I don't think that's what you'll decide."

"You're very sure of yourself."

"I'm an Alpha. It comes with the territory." He stepped back, giving me space. "Now go. Before I change my mind about being a gentleman."

I turned to shift back into my wolf form, then stopped. "Alpha Lucian?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you. For the jacket. And for... everything else."

"You're welcome, little wolf."

I shifted and ran, his jacket clutched in my jaws. I didn't look back, even though I could feel his eyes on me the whole way.

When I got back to my cabin, the sun was just starting to rise. I shifted back to human form and went inside, wrapping his jacket tighter around me.

It smelled like him. Pine and earth and power.

My phone buzzed on the kitchen counter. I picked it up and saw seventeen missed calls. Most were from my mother. Three were from Lucy.

There was also a text from Petra: Are you okay? I heard you went to talk to the Alpha last night. CALL ME.

And one from a number I didn't recognize: This is Alpha Lucian. Yes, I have your number. I've had it for two years. Sleep well, little wolf.

My heart did a strange flip in my chest.

This man was dangerous. Dangerous to my plans, dangerous to my heart, dangerous to everything.

But Moon Goddess help me, I wanted him anyway.

"You slept with him, didn't you?"

Petra stared at me across her kitchen table, her eyes wide with shock and maybe a little bit of awe.

"What? No! I didn't sleep with him!" I protested, nearly spilling my coffee. "Why would you think that?"

"Because you're wearing his jacket. And you have that look on your face."

I glanced down at the jacket I was still wearing. I'd meant to take it off before coming to Petra's house, but somehow I'd forgotten.

"What look?"

"The 'I got thoroughly seduced by an Alpha' look."

"That's not a real look."

"It is, and you have it." Petra leaned forward, her voice dropping to a whisper even though we were alone. "Tell me everything. What happened?"

I told her about the meeting, about going to his office, about our conversation. I left out some of the more intimate details, but I told her enough.

When I finished, Petra sat back in her chair, looking stunned.

"So he's been watching you for two years? That's..."

"Creepy? Obsessive? Wrong?"

"I was going to say romantic, actually."

I blinked at her. "How is that romantic?"

"Hailey, the Alpha-the most powerful wolf in our pack-has been pining after you for two years. He wanted you but couldn't have you because of the mate bond. And now that you're free, he's making his move. That's like something out of a story."

"It's not romantic. It's complicated."

"Love is always complicated."

"This isn't love. This is revenge. And lust. And... I don't know what else, but it's definitely not love."

Petra gave me a knowing look. "Keep telling yourself that."

Before I could argue, there was a knock at the door. Petra went to answer it and came back looking worried.

"It's your mother," she whispered. "She says she needs to talk to you."

My stomach dropped. "Tell her I'm not here."

"Hailey, I can't lie to..."

"Hailey, I know you're in there." My mother's voice came from the doorway. "Please. I just want to talk."

I closed my eyes, trying to find the strength to face her. Then I nodded to Petra.

My mother walked into the kitchen, and my heart clenched. She looked tired. Older than I remembered. Her dark hair..the same shade as mine and Lucy's...had more gray in it now.

"Sweetheart," she said softly.

"Don't call me that."

She flinched but didn't back down. "I know you're angry. You have every right to be."

"I'm not angry. I'm done. With Lucy. With you. With all of it."

"Lucy made a terrible mistake"

"A mistake?" I stood up, fury rushing through me. "A mistake is forgetting someone's birthday or burning dinner. What Lucy did wasn't a mistake. It was a choice. A choice she made every day for six months."

"She's your sister. Your twin. You two have always been so close-"

"We're not close anymore. She's dead to me."

My mother's eyes filled with tears. "Don't say that. Please. Family is everything."

"Family?" I laughed bitterly. "Family doesn't sleep with your mate. Family doesn't betray you in the worst possible way. Family doesn't choose a man over their own blood."

"She loves him, Hailey. She really does. She's in love with Jude...."

"Get out."

"Hailey....."

"Get. Out." I was shaking now, my wolf pushing at my control. "Get out before I shift and throw you out."

Petra stepped forward, her voice gentle but firm. "I think you should leave, Mrs. Moreno."

My mother looked between us, then nodded slowly. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm so sorry for everything."

She left.

I sat back down, my hands trembling. Petra put her hand on my shoulder.

"Are you okay?"

"No. But I will be."

My phone buzzed. Another text from the Alpha: Training grounds. Noon. Don't be late.

"What is it?" Petra asked.

"The Alpha wants to see me."

"Are you going to go?"

I looked at his jacket, still wrapped around me. At the text message. At the choice in front of me.

"Yes," I said finally. "I'm going to go."

Because if I was going to burn, I might as well burn bright.