“Keegan, it’s time. Kalla needs you.” The female looks between us, and Keegan nods his head. Face grim and tight. He does not move at first. “She is calling out for you.” The female’s voice is urgent with concern. “Keegan, your mate needs you. Now.” I am now regarded with her eyes. She draws her vision over Keegan again, then me. Her brows pull together. “Your mate said if you need your brother for support, you can ask him to come.”

It’s getting easier to ignore her because her hurt comes from being my mate. The skin has given up, but the Wild holds hope.

“I will get used to this?” I let the absolute disbelief filter through my words to leave behind a salty face.

“Keegan, you have me now.” Those silver eyes focus on my face while his lips expose a quiver.

Our eyes meet. I hold no welcome or joy in mine... He understands that I know what he has done.

Only females understand how to weaponize a laugh. I’ve understood for a long time how laughter is used for combat without drawing blood.

The fire is burning down to red-orange coals. It’s warm against my face, but intense heat is against my back—Paley’s behind me. So close...

A heat blooms through my chest, I turn my head... it’s the silver-eyed male that makes me feel sunburnt.

Inhaling, I can smell him. I inhale again because my body wants to inhale him into my lungs, hold my breath for the longest dive of my life.

The Tribute packs gather for the birthday of Alpha Finian, king of the hemisphere. Will the OG twins take this chance to finally make peace?

I can see in his eyes he wants to kill me. My brother wants to kill me. The eyes of his Wild are fixated on me. He wants to kill me.

I thought the sight of her being fucked by my brother would stop whatever it is I'm feeling for her. It hasn't.

Is this what I must look forward to, dry meat and a second-born? I want to mark Paley. He should be mine. No one else’s. Mine. He will be.

"Finian says this is the way with juveniles." A mother's fears of losing her 13-year-old daughter to their tooth and claw world.

Kalla POV "It's our secret. No one will know."