I paced the room like a caged animal, my fists clenched so tightly that my nails bit into my palms. Every scar on her body, every tremor in her voice as she recounted her life in Silverclaw, played over and over in my mind. The fury roared in my veins, demanding an outlet. How could anyone do that to her?
To my mate?
The word came unbidden, striking a chord deep within me. I had known for a while now what she was to me. But I had ignored it, told myself that Cassandra, the arrogant, entitled daughter of a terrible Alpha, couldn't possibly be my mate. When I took Cassandra—no, Aria—it was as a means to exact revenge on her pack. Yet here I was, consumed with a rage I had never felt before. Not for my own losses, but for hers. I had treated her like a political enemy, and yet, my harsh tre
