_Leah’s POV_

We climbed the stairs back into the main halls of the Blood Moon pack house. My chest was tight and my legs felt heavy. I could still hear Selena’s mocking laugh in my head. Her words cut deep. I thought about Tariq, the sacrifice and how Kayden had rejected me. It was too much.

I walked in silence beside Kayden but my mind was screaming. My heart was torn between anger, confusion and something else I did not want to name.

Kayden finally broke the silence. “Leah,” he ...