I don’t even need to ask. The fear in everyone’s voices tells me enough.
“That rite is deadly!”
“No human survives it!”
“That’s the same as killing her!”
Sebastian’s expression doesn’t change.
“If neither option is met,” he declares coldly, “my sons, the Alphas of Obsidian Veil, will never mate with her.”
And just like that, he turns and walks away.
The hall is chaos again.
Voices shouting. Arguments breaking out. People pointing at me like I’m a criminal on trial.
I stand there, frozen, my heart breaking, my mind spinning.
What is happening?
Why is this happening?
Then I feel it.
A presence behind me.
Strong. Familiar.
I don’t even need to turn to know who it is because I already know.
The scent hits me first.
Gunnar.
I turn slowly.
He’s standing just behind me, his fac
