Elena pulled in a shaky breath. Her wolf stirred restlessly beneath her skin, but she forced calm into her voice.
“ Cassandra, I do not know how to explain this so that you will believe me. But I promise you this. Now that I have broken my bond with Drake, I will never look back. Even if it costs me my life. You do not need to worry about me.”
Cassandra’s voice came soft through the mind-link.
“Elena, I do not mean to reopen your wounds. It’s just… I do not know who else to speak to about these things. I am sorry.”
Elena kept her tone flat, her emotions buried deep, like a wolf suppressing its howl.
“I understand.”
Cassandra hesitated, then said, “Madam, do not carry the weight alone. I will make sure Drake pulls back his claws. I will make him withdraw the case against your foster m
