MATTEO
It had been five years since I rejected Lara and banished her from the pack. Five f*****g years since I stood before the Moon Goddess, severed the bond she had given me, and convinced myself I was doing the right thing. Five years since I made Selene my Luna and gave me what everyone claimed the pack needed—a strong heir. A Daughter.
Yet not a single day had passed that I could honestly say I was happy. In the beginning, guilt consumed me. It was everywhere. In every corner of the packhouse. In every meeting. In every quiet moment before sleep.
My wolf, Storm, had fallen into a permanent state of mourning the day Lara left. No matter how much I commanded him, he refused to move on—refused to accept another mate—refused to forget.
Shifting had become torture.
Every bone-crackin
