Chapter 3 He stopped , gaze locking on the shards in my hand . For once , he fell silent . My shoulders trembled . " You know what this is , " I said , voice thick . " It's my mother's heirloom . " Atticus turned his head away . " Anya didn't mean it , " he said coldly . " Besides , your mother left you plenty . You won't miss one . " The naked favoritism burned straight through my chest . I bit down hard . " If she'd smashed something of your father's today , would you be this generous ? " The slap hit so hard heat exploded under my skin . Atticus's jaw worked . Disgust flooded his eyes . " You have the nerve to bring up my father ? If not for you , he'd still be alive . " Five years ago , Alpha Dorian had a heart attack . The house staff were off that day , and I was away as well . Before we mated , I promised Atticus I would look after his father . In that hour , I failed . ミミ The failure lodged like a thorn between us and drove us further apart . Seeing Atticus plant himself at her side , Anya puffed up behind his shadow . " Luna , Alpha is Nightfall's heir . How dare you contradict him in public ? " She gave a frosty little laugh and flicked her fingers . " The warriors moved at once . Auto - added to the Library ing she owns . " Bottle after bottle of distilled extract burst on the floor ; glassware shattered into glittering scraps . I lunged , screaming , but Atticus pinned me , hard as iron . " Now you're sorry ? Where was that an hour ago ? " I looked at the wreckage , hollowed out from the inside . Those tools had been passed down through generations . They were the last of my roots . Now they were gone . And Anya still wasn't satisfied , She lifted my incense grimoire , challenge bright in her eyes . My knees hit the floor . I bowed until my forehead split . " No ... please don't . " It was the last thing I had . She only arched a brow and tossed the book into the fire . Flame licked . I tore free and threw myself into the blaze . " Seraphina , are you insane ! " Chapter 3 Color drained from Atticus's face ; panic flashed in his eyes . Not until I staggered out clutching a few charred pages , hands blistered and bleeding , did he let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding . I cradled the singed leaves and sobbed until I could not breathe . Satisfied , Anya turned and left . Atticus dropped a box of burn ointment beside me , his expression set like stone . " I'll replace this stuff for you . Don't take it out on Anya . " He reached to brush ash from my cheek . I turned away , cold as glass . " Ungrateful , " he muttered , and walked out . I curled in the corner with the last of my pages and stared at the ceiling until the phone shattered the quiet . " Ms. Lark , interested in a deal ? " A familiar voice . Liam Carter , Alpha of Thornclaw Pack - the rival Atticus hated most . I stared into nothing and forced my mouth to work . " Fine . But you'll do something for me first . " If Atticus could be this merciless , I had nothing left to hold me . Liam listened and agreed without a second thought . I ended the call and buried my face in my arms . Tears soaked my sleeves . After a long time , I dried my eyes , went to the master bedroom , and knocked . Laughter on the other side cut off . The door opened . Atticus leaned on the frame , shirt askew . " What ? " he asked , flat and cold . I held out the last of the Moonbinding incense balm . " I won't make incense anymore , " I said , flat . " This is the last- } } Anya's voice knifed in , high and sharp , finger stabbing at the tray . " That's the one ! I had it tested . There's a slow - acting toxin in it - it hooks you and kills you by inches ! " Fury blew through Atticus . He knocked the tray from my hands . The balm splattered across the floor ; he ground it under his heel . His eyes held nothing but loathing