Page 109

And gods did I hope that he would uphold that.

Zachary returned with Clover much faster than I expected. She didn’t have anything else on her save for a knife in one hand and what I expected was the dress I’d requested. There was a bruise against her cheek that made me want to rip someone’s throat out, and her amber eyes were large and brimming. “Are you alright?” I asked. “Who did that? Was it Ca⁠—”

She shook her head. “I’m fine.” Turning her attention to Aura, a gentle smile curved her lips. “I’m glad he found you,” she said. “I suppose this is for you.” She handed over the dress, and Aura’s brows pinched. I half expected Aura to refuse, but she took it and offered a strained smile.

“Clover,” I said while Aura changed out of my shirt. “I’m leaving the pack. But while I’m still alpha, I wanted to give you an opportunity to leave Sublune Creek. You won’t be alone. You can stay with us for as long as you need. A fresh start while you decide what you want to do. It’ll be your choice entirely. No one will own you or tell you what to do.”

Her cheeks pinkened, tears welling in her eyes and slipping down her face. “I’d like that,” she said, her voice tight with emotion. “But … can I?”

“Of course you can.”

Evander’s lips were a thin line. He wasn’t going to argue with me, but he wasn’t happy about it.

Clover refused to look at the others but met my gaze. “I would love the chance for a new start.”

The others started to protest, but Aura acted first. She pulled Clover over the border into the Unclaimed Territory so she stood between us, protected. It was a small action, but one that spoke volumes. I motioned Evander closer to me, and I extended my hand to Zachary, “Knife please.”

Zachary passed me the knife. I looked at Evander. “I pass the role of alpha to you,” I told him. I sliced the knife across my palm, and as bright red blood seeped, I passed the knife to him. He did the same, and our hands joined over the barrier. There was a strange sensation, an uncomfortable tugging from within.

Our combined blood dropped onto the ground and the tugging sensation increased. Like my insides were trying to pull themselves apart. I grit back a groan, and Clover let out an uncomfortable gasp. I released Evander’s hand and stepped back, my palm stinging, but something in my heart felt equally bruised.

“I suppose that’s it,” I said to Evander.

He hesitated, his chin lifted high though his eyes were filled with more emotion than I could decipher. His hands hung at his sides, and his body was tense, as though he was fighting an urge. “Until next time, brother,” he said.

I nodded. “Until next time.” I started to turn but looked at him one last time. “This pack is a reflection of you, and you are a reflection of the pack. Respect each other, and don’t allow anyone to tarnish the Zilveren name. Anyone.” My eyes settled on Caleb. “Cruelty doesn’t belong in this pack.” I turned my gaze back to Evander. “Do you understand?”

He kept his face neutral, but the scent wafting off him was one of acceptance. He didn’t nod, only stepped back.

I turned to walk away, Aura on my right, Clover on my left. My new pack, my heart told me. Not to own, but to love and appreciate.

Lycans had a long way to go, as did vampires. As Antoine said, Bonds are stronger than blood. It went beyond just the bond of relatives or even packmates. Blood was akin to traditions and accepted norms that needed changing. Sometimes that was inherited without choice. But unfortunately, through the generations, the one-mindedness of the lycans had proven to surpass even logic.

My bond to Aura was certainly stronger than anything I’d experienced. To think it would be deemed unacceptable was madness.

I hoped things would change for the better. For people like Clover, and even like me, to find happiness any way it came.

52

I’M YOURS

AURA

The headboard banged against the wall as Sylvan pushed it. I grinned at him. We’d spent time rearranging my room so that it felt more like ours. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to remain in Blucrux Valley, especially in this home, but only time would tell.

“Revels really can be fun,” I told Sylvan as he dusted off his hands.

“I’m not watching my mate fuck another man,” he said.

I couldn’t help but laugh, but my body warmed at the word mate. It always did. I pulled him close by his collar and kissed him deeply. His hands slid down to my ass, landing a firm slap against it that made me yelp.

“That’s for getting me excited when we have to get to a meeting.”

“A little sneak peek of what’s to come later,” I said.

Our days had been filled with too many meetings to my liking, but the acceptance that was slowly spreading across the land was worth it. Evander had showed up to the meeting and afterward had let us know Caleb was no longer a part of the pack. They were also negotiating pairing up with another alpha—a woman of the Crystal pack who was also in search of a mate.

I wasn’t sure if I would ever completely understand pack dynamics, but with Magdalena, Clover, and Sylvan, I had all the pack I needed. Clover had settled in nicely and mostly kept to herself. She was a sweet and quiet lycan who seemed to think so little of herself, I wished I could formulate and bottle self-esteem for her.