Snow melted off my boots on the stone floor. The great hall was full. Every wolf Damien brought back from Black Ridge stood shoulder to shoulder. Waiting.
I stood on the dais. Not behind Damien’s throne. Beside it. One step lower. That was the rule he made. “You don’t stand behind me, Selena. You stand with me.”
My side still pulled with every breath. Bella’s ash box hung heavy at my belt. Warm from the fire we built yesterday.
Doors slammed open.
Kyle.
He walked in like he owned the place. Old pack colors on his shoulders. Smirk on his face. Same smirk from the day he called me Nothing.
Behind him, two wolves from our old pack. They stopped when they saw the hall. Saw Damien. Saw the kneeling wolves from yesterday.
Kyle didn’t kneel. He looked at me. Up and down. Took in Damien’s c
