The cocktail hour commenced, and I nursed a glass of wine as I watched Chris and Lily flit about the room, deep in hushed conversation. Every laugh that fell from her rose-petal lips was like a dagger in my chest, but I quelled the feelings with more wine. I was so engrossed in my thoughts, howeve

Chris I watched through the window of my office as Ava stepped out into the courtyard, her arm looped through Leonard’s in that familiar, casual way. A pang of something sharp and unpleasant twisted in my gut as I observed the two of them together, their heads bent close in what seemed to be an in

Ava “That was quite the dinner party,” Leonard said, breaking the silence between us. “I can’t remember the last time the Elders surprised the pack in such a way.” I hummed in agreement, watching my feet as we walked to avoid meeting his warm gray eyes. “Yes, it was rather unprecedented,” I said

Ava “Can we talk, Ava?” Even now, seeing Chris’s green eyes reflecting the sunlight and his hair tousled by the wind, it hurt. Maybe it hurt even more, seeing him like this. “Of course,” I finally managed, somehow keeping my voice steady despite the fact that I almost felt sick just looking at

Chris Lily glided into the foyer of my Packhouse apartment, looking beautiful in a sky blue dress with a string of pearls around her neck. She was a stunning girl, truly—but I wasn’t here because I wanted to be. I had invited her here only at Ava’s request; she, along with the Elders, had been a