“How did they survive?”
Leon’s jaw works for a moment before he answers, and his voice drops to almost a whisper. “Magnus Blackwood gave Elena a choice. She could earn their keep through… certain services to the pack members, or else he would kill her daughter.”
I feel like I’ve been kicked in the stomach. For a moment, I can’t breathe, can’t think past the roaring fury that threatens to consume me entirely.
“He forced her into prostitution.” The words taste like poison in my mouth.
“Yes.” Leon’s voice is flat, professional, but I can see the disgust in his eyes. “It was the only way she could keep Elara alive. Magnus Blackwood made sure Elena understood that her daughter’s life depended on her compliance.”
I’m on my feet before I realize I’ve moved, my hands braced against the desk a
