Chapter 48

The scent of antiseptic clung to Damon’s skin as he stepped into the hospital. The quiet hum of machines only made the restlessness in his chest worse, that hollow, gnawing ache that had been growing ever since Sloane walked out of their den. Every thought of her rejection made his wolf stir beneath his skin. The memory of her eyes, cold, defiant, unyielding, made his pulse race until his claws threatened to break through. She didn’t want to be bound to him. Not as Luna. Not as his mate. But why did she have to run? Why couldn’t she just talk to him, to reason? Was her pride really worth tearing their bond apart? He slammed his fist against the wall. The concrete cracked, and blood smeared the surface, dark and rich with the metallic tang of wolf essence. His wolf growled from within, urging him to hunt, to claim what was his. Lyra rushed in just then, her hair wild from running. Behind her, Caleb stumbled in, pale and wheezing, his breath shallow. The boy’s small frame trembled under