C1

“Let’s break this lunar bond, right now,” I say.

I stare at Leonidas Argyros, the supreme alpha king, the wolf every female in Sparta Moonhaven wants. He’s got dark hair, a powerful build, and this intimidating aura that hangs around him like a storm. But he’s never wanted me. For three winters, I try. I make his food, wash his clothes in Argyros Citadel, trying to be the mate he needs. He never looks at me with anything close to love. Now, I can’t do it anymore. My heart feels tiny and broken. I just want out.

“I’m giving you your freedom,” I say, fingers trembling. “Take your name off my bloodline. After today, we’re nothing.”

He doesn’t say a word. Doesn’t even let his face show anything. He glances at the papers sitting on the wooden table. He grabs the black pen and scribbles so fast, then stands and leaves, shoulders broad, steps heavy. Inside Moonstone Tavern, the pack stops eating to watch him; he always looks like a king. He always leaves me like this. No matter what I do, it never touches that big, stone wolf heart. It hurts so much, right inside my chest like something tearing loose. But I have to walk away.

Out in the street, my phone blares in my hand.

“Artemisia,” I answer. “I did what you said. He signed the papers. The bond is finished.”

“Is it true?” Artemisia Lykaon’s voice bursts through, way too loud and bright.

I stop walking and shake my head. “He signed. But why are you so happy?”

She lets out this wild, witchy laugh. “Gorgo, you’re such a fool! You really let the supreme alpha king go!”

My stomach twists. “What are you talking about? You’re my sister.”

“I feel amazing!” Artemisia keeps laughing. “You’re finally out of Argyros Citadel. Now I can be his Luna! That’s why I pushed you to leave him!”

I glance up at the hulking grey buildings across the road; I just know she’s up there.

“Why do you think Leonidas is so cold toward you?” she says.

“Why?” I move into the noisy street with the territory riders and their cars. “Tell me!”

“Because he thinks you killed his little brother!” Artemisia shouts, cutting my ears like knives. “He believes you murdered Daxos, the fallen alpha heir. Why would he love someone who destroyed his bloodline?”

“No!” I scream. My voice cracks and fades. “I loved Daxos! I’d never hurt him! Was it you, Artemisia? Did you do it?”

“Yes, I did!” she shrieks, laughing like she’s won. “Want to go run and confess to Leonidas, sister? Too late!”

“I hate you!” I yell. My vision blurs. “You lied to me for years. We’re family!”

“You can’t do anything now,” Artemisia snaps. “Look to your left, fool.”

I whip my head around. All I see are two blinding lights.

A truck is barreling right at me.

Crash.

Everything hurts. My bones snap. I’m flying up, weightless and tossed like a dead leaf in the winter wind, then slamming onto the cold black pavement.

The world fades into dull black and white. I start thinking about my life every moment spent loving Leonidas Argyros. He never looked at me kindly. If I ever wake up again somewhere else, I’ll never waste love on him. I’ll never love a wolf who doesn’t know how to love his mate.

My eyelids drop; darkness swallows everything. I never see Leonidas burst from the Tavern, never see him cradle my broken, bleeding body in his arms, never see the supreme alpha king cry real tears for me. My bag tumbles open on the road. The paper slips out. Where Leonidas should have signed to break the bond, he didn’t. Instead, in big black letters, he wrote: NO WAY IN HELL.

My skin chills like ice. My breath leaves me. I’m gone.