Chapter 7 The pack members' whispers reached June's ears clearly. "I remember when the Alpha and Miss Silvermoon were young," an elder she-wolf said quietly, "the way he used to howl for her every full moon was legendary. He was ready to claim her as his mate before she left for the European packs." "Makes sense!" another wolf said, suddenly understanding. "First love is always first love-even without the Luna bond, she's still the most important one." "Some wolves fight so hard to mate into powerful packs-what's the point?" someone else said nastily, looking right at June. "Having pups doesn't change anything. They still can't win their mate's heart. She's gonna be lonely forever." June listened silently, her heart feeling like it was covered in ice-numb and heavy, but not hurting anymore. She took a deep breath and started walking toward the cliff path that led away from the clearing. Just as she reached the narrow trail, footsteps followed behind her. Megan appeared gracefully, her silver dress flowing in the moonlight, her lips curving into a smile. "The mate dissolution ritual is in three days," she said, staring directly at June. "You're going to keep your word and leave, right?" June kept walking toward the cliff edge. "Of course." "I want out of here more than anyone." Megan finally smiled for real. "Don't worry, I'll take great care of everything for you." "Besides, Nick and the pups don't like you anyway-they'll forget about you pretty quick." June reached the cliff edge and stopped, looking out over the moonlit valley below. Then suddenly- A hard shove from behind sent her tumbling over the edge. "Help!" Megan screamed dramatically. "June fell! Someone help!" June's body hit the rocky slope, sharp pain shooting through her as she rolled and bounced down the cliff face. After what felt like forever, she heard voices and footsteps above. "What happened?" Nicholas's voice called down. "She just slipped!" Megan cried, sounding panicked. "I tried to grab her but I couldn't reach!" Through her blurred vision and pain, June could see Nicholas at the top of the cliff with the pack members. He looked down at her broken body on the rocks below, then immediately turned his attention to Megan. "Are you hurt?" he asked her gently, checking her hands and arms. "Did you get injured trying to help her?" "I'm fine," Megan said, leaning into his embrace. "I just wish I could have saved her." The pack healer called down: "Alpha, she's alive but badly injured. We need to get her to the medical den immediately." Nicholas looked back and forth between Megan, who was trembling in his arms, and June, who was bleeding on the rocks. "Take care of Megan first," he decided. "Make sure she's not in shock. I'll send someone else down for June." The last thing June saw before everything went black was Nicholas carrying Megan away from the cliff edge, while she lay broken and bleeding, waiting for help that would come too late.