It was quiet on the way back to the village. The wolves stayed in the city as per tradition, and Selene sulked in the corner of the front carriage. Her body was deliciously sore, aching in the best places, and she had marks everywhere but she didn’t care. The other girls did, giving her a wide berth even in the carriage. They had been split evenly this time, and nobody had said a word. Each girl had been given dresses from the alphas as a “thank you for your offering,” and they were beautiful. All of them looked far too rich for the village. Usually, they wore their hair in braids, but today it was down, cascading over silk and lace like the beds they had been claimed in. Selene’s dress was a deep green that reminded her of Ethan’s eyes. She was certain that was why he had chosen it. I

