The pyre burned with Maeve’s body and the ring. When the ceremony ended, the pack began to disperse. Their whispers followed me across the square.
Darius stopped me at the edge of the square. "Serena, don't go. The pack needs a healer of your strength. I will name you Chief Healer and an elder of my council. You will answer to no one except me."
No Omega had ever held that rank. It came with a place on the council and freedom from every healer above me.
A year ago, I would have accepted before he finished speaking. Now I heard another Alpha deciding where I belonged.
"My healing was a promise of loyalty to this pack. Your heir broke that promise, and the pack let him. My skills will serve no Alpha again."
Darius studied me, then nodded and stepped aside.
Hours later, my hired carriag
