Chapter 21
MIRANDA
"The wedding announcement is in four days," my mother said, rising from her chair with the grace of someone who'd spent her entire life learning how to move through high society. "Four days, Miranda. Do you understand what's at stake here?"
"Of course I understand," I said, my voice rising despite my best efforts to remain calm. "I understand that your entire social standing depends on me marrying the Lycan King. I understand that this is your chance to finally be accepted by the families that scorned you for decades. I understand that I'm useful to you for the first time in my pathetic life—"
The slap came so fast I didn't see it coming. My mother's palm connected with my cheek with enough force to snap my head to the side, leaving a burning handprint that I knew wo
