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“Cersey didn’tcurseyou.”

I blinked as she calmly took a sip of her coffee. “What do you mean?”

“If the amulet is the source of her power, then she had no means to curse you.”

I wasn’t following, which must have shown on my face because she spoke more slowly as she continued, “She didn’t corrupt the fates to bond you with Orion. Even with the amulet she wouldn’t have that kind of power. The two of you…” She wrinkled her nose. “It was always meant to be.”

A surge of hope and gratitude tried to bubble up, but I clenched my stomach, forcing it back down. “But–”

“You’re not hearing me, Diana. How many lovesick people have secretly begged mom for a love spell? You remember human women coming to the house looking for Mom? And how the elders were all hush hush about it?” I did, vaguely. “Anyway, can’t be done. Not really. There are enchantments that can manipulate minds and influence natural energies, you know that. But force a fated bond? Not possible.” She shook her head with confidence and I sat back in my booth seat.

“Mom has told me quite a lot about Cersey. Information only the elder council knows. She only told me because I was supposed to be the future pack seer.” She paused, regarding me. “Quit chewing on your nails,” she said and I dropped my hand to my lap.

“Cersey is a powerful sorceress, that’s true. So, we need to talk more about all of the rest of what’s going on–what happened to Nathaniel, the amulet and all.” She seemed apprehensive for the first time since we’d sat down. Then she brightened, looked me straight in the eye and said, “But you and Orion? You two are bonded by the fates. And trust me when I tell you, big sister, even Cersey is powerless to change that.”

She took another sip of her coffee. “I’m surprised Mom hasn’t explained this to you.”

“But IsawCersey’s magic–” I began to protest.

Selena waved it off. “Parlor tricks, nothing more. You know she didn’t have her amulet, and I’m telling you, that’s the source of her most powerful magic. If you ask me, she wants you tothinkyou’re cursed. She’s manipulating you. And it looks like she wants to use that to her advantage.”

I stared at my dirty, chewed-up fingernails, considering her words.

She cleared her throat. “Look, if Orion is being anointed Alpha today, you should be there for him. As his mate, of course. But also…” She trailed off for a moment, eyes losing focus. “If Cersey is up to something, that would be the perfect time to attack.”

I nodded, standing. “You should come too.”

She frowned, immediately shaking her head. “No, my place is here.”

A new sense of urgency and panic prevented me from arguing with her. I needed to get back to Orion.

I bid goodbye to my sister, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek. She shooed me off but smiled about it, and the knowledge that we were really okay swelled in my chest, filling me with warmth.

I crossed the length of the campus once more, trying to look casual, and blend in. More humans were out and about, carrying so much human stuff in their shoulder bags and backpacks. I made quick work of the distance, passing by a building marked Valley Life Sciences Building near the edge of the forest.

I didn’t shift just yet, making sure no one was following me as I trekked across rugged trails and footpaths made by hikers. I didn’t want to risk being seen by a backpacker. Out of the blue, my senses slammed against a sharp, sickening odor that flattened everything else. Again, ammonia. Instantly on alert, I peered through the shadows around me. That’s when I caught a glimpse of several wolves, like the one that had attacked Orion, sprinting south. Dread soured my stomach. I shifted and sprinted after them.

ORION

Jesse tried, unsuccessfully, to lift my spirits with talk of the fights he’d been in. He never had a mate, though, so he couldn’t understand how my chest was ripped apart. So I didn’t respond to his war stories and sat silently in my chair while Terra fussed over me.

The pack seer said nothing of either of her daughters’ disappearances. In fact, she said little at all, drawing shapes and patterns in the air around me with a smoldering stick of incense. The sharp herbs seemed to burn the hairs in my nose.

It was midmorning, and my small plate of breakfast remained untouched. Members of the pack were constantly streaming through the front room of my father’s house to offer condolences and small gifts to their future alpha. I felt wretched. I was alone now, and unworthy of their respect.

I hadn’t slept, instead thinking about Diana and what I’d done. I could blame my grief, but was there really any excuse for how I shut her down like that? She was my mate, my only family now, and I acted like a petulant pup and said it was “over.”

Dad, I need you.

A sob threatened to escape, so I cleared my throat. I could not fall apart now.

What was Jesse saying, something about the succession ritual?

“You have to stay in human form today, only shifting when the sun disappears below the horizon. Don’t forget the vows you have to repeat. You should practice memorizing them. Cara, Noah, and I will be your personal guard.”

I sighed, feeling even more alone, knowing that Jesse would not be leaving my side for the day. How did my father manage to deal with him?

Cara knocked on the doorframe, an unnecessary courtesy since the door was already open. She had a small box in her hand, and with a nod from me, she approached cautiously. Terra looked up from her work, sharing a meaningful look with the lieutenant.