Taran stomped toward Gemini. “Damnit, you can’t freaking do this to him!”

Taran was Gemini’s kryptonite. His resolve typically melted like ice in her presence. Not this time. He righted himself and met her with equal force. “This isn’t up for discussion. Dan’s actions are inexcusable. As his Leader, Aric has a right to kill him for his betrayal. Dismissing him from our Pack will spare him so long as he keeps his distance.”

Taran rammed her finger in Gemini’s chest. “This isn’t his fault!”

Gemini leaned back on his heels. “He has free will, Taran. He made a choice. Are you suggesting Celia forced him to break the bond?”

My sisters turned to me, I guess with the expectation I’d save Danny and make things right. The wolves didn’t have such hopes. Their anger surged as they continued to regard me as their enemy.

Danny knelt before Gemini in acknowledgment of guilt. “He’s right. I could have refused Celia, but I chose not to.” Tears dripped down his long nose. “I accept the conditions of my exile and the penalty placed upon my life.”

Taran lurched away. “For a bunch of wolves you spew a lot of horseshit!” she screamed over her shoulder. Emme wiped her eyes and helped Shayna lead Danny to a nearby bench. I begged the earth to swallow me whole. All my actions—every last one of them—had caused nothing but harm. “I’ll pay for the damages,” I mumbled.

Gemini rubbed his goatee and huffed, “No, Celia. You’ve done enough.”

It stung to have him speak to me that way. He was the most reasonable and patient werewolf I’d ever met. But even he hated me for what I’d done.

Taran influenced the manager to send the bill to the Den and to believe college coeds had destroyed the hotel room. As we waited for the wolves to wrap up damage control, my hatred for Anara grew more hostile. I’d done as he asked and severed the bond, and still it hadn’t been enough. He’d forced me to hurt Aric yet again.

And he wasn’t going to stop. No. That twisted bastard was having too much fun. My only choice was to distance myself. The events of the day had taught me as much. I took in Danny’s despondent state. Maybe he’d like to come with me. Then my baby and I wouldn’t have to be alone.

Taran left the bench when Gemini appeared, stormed to our light blue Legacy, and slammed the door shut behind her. Gemini watched her before addressing me. “Celia, we will take you back to the vampire’s estate. There’s much we need to discuss with you.”

The last thing I wanted was the lupine express back to the mansion. Emme grasped my hands, her voice trembling. “Everyone’s fighting, Celia. Please go and try to make amends.”

I couldn’t say no to her or to Shayna, who hugged her body tight. And while I knew nothing I said would appease the wolves, I’d let enough people down that day. I followed the wolves back to Koda’s mammoth Yukon.

Koda drove with Gemini next to him. Liam and I sat in the back. Koda took the long way back to Misha’s, along the Nevada side of the lake. I supposed he felt we needed more quality time. No one spoke until we reached the Zephyr Cove–Round Hill Village area.

Liam twisted his body and leaned toward me. “You haven’t been yourself. Tell us what’s happening, Celia.”

In loving my sisters, and standing by Aric, the wolves had become my family. But like Aric, they were safer hating me, too. I crossed my arms. “If Aric’s been ordered to stay away from me, why do you have a problem with what I did?”

Koda looked over his shoulder and grinned. “Actually, we’re happy you’re finally out of his life.” His eyes blazed gold and he backhanded me across the face.

Koda’s strike broke my nose and launched me into Liam’s chest. Liam wrenched my arms back, leaving me open for Gemini’s attack. Gemini’s eyes fired with gold as he hurtled his way into the cabin and punched me in the head. My tigress went ballistic. I kicked Gemini away and butted Liam with the back of my skull. Liam released me. I sliced at the seat belt, but Liam yanked my left arm and snapped it before I finished cutting through.

I roared with agony and raked my claws across Liam’s eyes. The move gave me time to rip through the strap just as Koda caught one of my thrashing feet. He crushed my instep within his grip. I ignored the excruciating pain and kicked him in the face and thrust my other foot into Gemini’s throat. Koda lost control of the car and smashed into a utility pole. I threw open the door and rolled onto the street. A passing car swerved to avoid me and slammed into the side of Koda’s SUV. Screams echoed behind me and cars screeched to a halt. I didn’t look back. I clambered onto the sidewalk, using my knees and right arm to slide myself across the concrete.

An elderly man on the corner yelled at me to stay down and stop moving. I pulled myself up and ran for my life, cradling my limp arm and dragging my injured foot.

Human reasoning abandoned me completely. I was nothing more than a desperate and frightened animal whose only thought was to flee with her baby. I cut through an alleyway and then another, only to hit a dead end.

I protruded my claws and tried to scale the wall. My feet had barely left the ground when I fell backward and onto my spine. Jolts of anguish reverberated across my useless limbs. It was impossible. I couldn’t climb.

The hammering of approaching footsteps grew louder. The wolves had found me. I could smell their blood. I spun from my back and forced myself upright. No way could I take them on. My only choice was to shift into the sewers, but I didn’t know where I’d land and feared the fall would exacerbate my injuries. So I tried to slow my breath and waited. If I made contact, I could shift them and make my escape.

That is, if they didn’t kill me first.

A hideous growl exploded from deep within me, bred from fear and desperation to protect the child within me. The hulking forms of the wolves appeared and their urgent steps slowed. Their eyes no longer glowed in that horrible, angry gold. To my shock, they appeared solemn and completely freaked out.

Gemini softened the intensity of his stare as he took in my injuries. “Celia, it’s okay. No one is going to hurt you.”

“Stay away from us!”

They scanned the alley, expecting the presence of another. I’d impulsively referred to me and my baby. Except they didn’t know that, and my comment only deepened their unease.

“Celia, it’s me. Your buddy, Liam.”