Chapter 12: The Order

Delphine reached him first, arms open.

"Hiram Kavanaugh! Our Number One's beloved Alpha. We are so honored."

She kissed the air beside his cheek.

I stood frozen in the dirt with the gold card in my hand.

The cameras swung from the ring to the car and back, drunk on the new scene.

"Darling girl," Hiram said, walking toward me. "You've gotten thin."

"Don't touch her," said Rook.

"I wouldn't dream of it, Montrose."

Hiram stopped an arm's length away and smiled at me.

"Your pack misses you, Junie. We're having a hard winter. Come home."

"I'm not coming home."

"Of course you are."

The bond in my chest turned over.

I felt the weight settle, the one I had carried since I was fourteen.

"Juniper Hallowell," Hiram said, soft and clear. "Kneel."

My knees buckled before I could blink.

I hit the dirt on both of them, shaking, with my palms flat on the ground.

A gasp ran around the ring.

I tried to stand, and the bond ripped through my ribs.

"Good," Hiram said. "Now say you've had enough."

Across the lawn I saw Imogen climb to her feet, hand to her split mouth, and smile.

My jaw locked.

I looked up at him through my hair.

"Go to hell," I said.

"That isn't the sentence."

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