He holds out the dagger for me, and I eye it sceptically for a minute. He hangs his hand, waiting for me to see that my thoughts do not matter and regardless, I will still sign it as he has ordered. I take the dagger and cut my palm. Before it can heal up, I dip my thumb in the lump of blood that has formed over it. The torn skin heals immediately, just as I stamp my thumb on the spot Jai-Blynn shows me. It creates a gleaming silver mark in its wake. Zeke picks the seal and signs it off after me. The beta leaves us again, carrying the dagger with him. "What do you do?" I ask suddenly, cleaning off the smear of blood with a tissue. He says unconsciously, "I'm the people's favourite, Marelyn. I make films and star in them." "You must have enemies?" I don't know why that comes out next, but I'm genuinely curious to know what I am getting myself into. He said I've not even come close to seeing what his life looks like and I want to be sure it's not what I think it is. He checks the ti

Jai-Blynn walks ahead, leading me to the house of the pack's doctor, Taz. I figured out who he was, and after dinner, Zeke sent me to him to begin everything. The beta who's always on my watch does his job by following me. It's dark outside and I'm rubbing my palm over my arm with slightly clattering teeth. "If it helps, I'm glad you survived." He starts and I'm shocked to see he wants to speak to me. "Sorry to disappoint...again." I sigh and mutter as the wind blows away strands of fallen hair from my face. "Again?" He looks over his shoulder, and I nod, even though he's turned back already and can't see me. "The Alpha's choice was not a favourite, if I remember correctly. She didn't fit the beta's type." I spit and wrap my arms around myself as we continue down the cobblestone walkway. Jai-Blynn smirks for a moment. "I've had time to reconsider." "And what has changed your mind?" I loosen the bun on my hair and let it drape over my shoulders to ward off the cold. He appears se

It's been two days. I've not said a word to Zeke after that night, and it doesn't bother me. Jai-Blynn keeps me company whenever he can, but I usually hate the morning hours when everyone leaves and I'm all alone. It's that time of the day now and I'm looking for what to busy myself with. I've finished setting up the rubik's cube on the living room's glass table. I can go another round, but I'll leave that for tomorrow. My eyes scan the enormous house. The wheels in my head are turning. I pick the remote and turn on the flat screen. There's a woman in there forecasting the weather. She says it will rain a lot in the coming days with thunderstorms. I flip to the next channel and I find a rom-com showing. The female lead is being maltreated by her family and husband, but she will later rise again to have her revenge. It is catchy, but I eventually fall asleep on the living room couch. In my dreams, I am back in Carodia. My mother is with me and I see her smiling. I never want to wake

MARE: I'm staring at myself in the mirror with my heart beating hard in my chest. Kyra heard Jai-Blynn and I planning my escape yesterday. I know she doesn't like me and I'm waiting for Zeke to barge in and torture me for going against our agreement. But if I can survive today, then it will all be over. Drusila put me in a dark red ruched high-slit gown and a red veil for the occasion. Jai-Blynn told me all about today's event before Zeke took him off my watch last night. It's Moon Grove's annual pack gathering, and the alpha intends to introduce me to his wolves. "Are you ready?" I gasp and whip my head around. Kyra stands there in a black ankle-length slip dress. My heart skipped for a minute. I realize she's alone and not with a train of guards wanting to roust me. "I've been trapped in here against my will. Of course, I'm ready to see new faces." I toss the veil over my face again and rise to my feet. Kyra asked what my relationship with Jai-Blynn was when she found us in tha

I changed out of the red dress hours later. Drusila dressed me up in a strapless silver tulle gown with layers for the full moon. I had a hard time hiding the thigh holster Jai had given me from her, but she didn't see it, eventually. I was lucky enough. When I return to our table, Zeke still asks that I socialize with the crowd, and I do so, but they are all treating me like a goddess who's visiting the earth. They are worshipping the ground I walk on and I don't want that because I don't think I deserve it. I'm also on edge. The thought of everything I have to do fills me with angst. I'm alone until I flee through the tunnel and find whoever Jai-Blynn says will wait for me on the other side. If I do not escape today while everyone is distracted and Zeke's patrol has their guard lowered, I will never have my chance again. The pack gathering happens only once a year. I excuse myself from the circle, hounding me with questions. Zeke's eyes are on me the entire time, but I do not retu