Veronica POV
She kicked a rock so hard it flew into a bush and startled a bird. “Good,” she muttered. “Join the club.”
The bird took off, just like she wanted to. Away from the whispers. Away from the judgmental stares. Away from him.
She tugged the sleeves of her oversized sweater down past her wrists, trying to ignore how every wolf that passed gave her a look—like she was a stain on the sidewalk. She could practically hear them thinking it.
That’s the girl the council tore apart. Brought a cat into a packhouse. Who even does that? Poor Alpha Braxton.
She rolled her eyes so hard they nearly got stuck. “Poor Alpha Braxton,” she mimicked under her breath, kicking another rock. “Must be so hard being hot and respected and fated to a total disaster.”
A few kids ran past her, giggling.
