BROOKE

"Why aren't you dressed yet?" Mother asked as she stepped into my room.

"I am dressed," I said, but I knew what she meant. She'd laid out a pink gown as if I would instantly put it on. It was comical how quickly she'd fallen back into her old ways. As if our time in the dungeon had never occurred.

She sucked in a slow breath and stared at me.

"Is there something you need?" I asked.

"You know what I need. It's what we both need. Once again, I have managed to find a way to keep you out of the gutter, and you are doing everything in your power to sabotage my efforts!"

"Your efforts." My voice was too calm to be mine. My wolf was done being silent. "Your efforts to stay above are precisely why you are so low. Black gown. Pink gown. Hair up. Hair down. It makes no difference."

"It makes every difference, and you know that! I am trying to keep you alive!"

"I would rather be dead!" I roared. "I would rather rot in that dungeon than sell my soul, let alone take commands from someone like you."

"Someone like me?" She scoffed. "And what exactly is that supposed to mean?"

"You know exactly what it means."

"Please, enlighten me."

I bit the inside of my cheek so hard I tasted blood. "Very well." I stood and crossed the room, my head held high, and steps confident. Once upon a time, she would have praised my composure. But it wasn't her teachings that steadied my pulse. No matter what lies she or anyone else told, I was Luna, and my wolf wouldn't bend again. "Someone without dignity. Someone without a conscience. Someone who would betray their blood for their own selfish gain." I stopped an inch away from her, and only the bond of mother and child kept me from lashing out. She'd done so much damage, and she'd do more. I wanted her on my side. I'd thought she was. For years and years, I strived to be what she wanted, but that wasn't my role anymore. "You, Mother, are a rogue."

Her sharp intake of breath was all the reaction I received. But it was enough.

"I am not attending any ball. I won't pretend any longer."

"Brooke...Titan will—"

"I don't care what Titan does!"

"Don't you?"

Mother and I both jolted at the sound of his voice. I'd been so focused on her, that I hadn't even noticed his scent. Now that I had, it was all I could do not to vomit. I said nothing, but inside, my wolf was clawing to be released.

He stepped inside. "Leave us."

Mother shot me a warning look on her way out.

"Close the door," Titan said.

She hesitated, but it only took a moment for her to comply. As much as I wanted to write her off, I couldn't deny the sting that came with her betrayal. This was who she was—who she'd always been.

Titan walked over to the armoire and opened the doors, revealing a television within. It hadn't been there before. "I had a feeling you might be difficult," he said as he collected the remote and turned back to me. "So I had something special set up to motivate you."

He pressed the button, and the black screen lit up with a black-and-white image of a man hunched in the corner of a room. My wolf immediately recognized him, and I bit the inside of my cheek so hard I tasted blood. I stared at him, taking in his soaked clothes, and his slumped form, and I didn't need a mate bond to sense the defeat radiating off of him. My throat tightened, and my fingers twitched, itching to reach through the screen and touch him.

"Think of it like having a goldfish, only more difficult to keep alive."

"If you hurt him, I swear to the goddess, I'll—"

"You're going to do exactly as I say. You're going to get dressed. You're going to charm every guest waiting downstairs for your arrival. You're going to dance, smile, and give off the picture of the perfect upcoming Luna. Because if you don't, your goldfish is going to suffer. Would you like to see how?"

"No." Just like that, he'd won. My vision blurred with angry tears, and I quickly turned away. I would not give him the pleasure of my tears. "If you'll excuse me, I need to get ready."

"Good. You have fifteen minutes. One second longer and, well, you'll see."

I put on the pink gown. I styled my hair and painted my face. Then I walked down the hall, headed toward the sounds of light music and chatter. Titan hadn't even bothered to appoint guards to escort me; he knew none were needed. He had Huck, and so long as he did, I was powerless to do anything.

Summer was barely ending, and the entire castle had been decorated for fall. Blood-red candles in brass sconces lined every wall, and tiny, amber fairy lights lit the banisters. This would be the first of the many events scheduled throughout the holiday season, and I had no idea how I was going to manage to play the anticipated bride for all of them. Or, worse, what I would do at the end. The winter solstice. A sham ceremony.

The ballroom doors stood open, giving me a glimpse of the sea of bodies within. Titan stood with a small group beside the buffet. When he noticed my entrance, he crossed the divide between us and checked his watch. "How unfortunate. I was hoping you'd take your time."

Hyperaware of the many listening ears, I gave him my best smile and said, "You know how much I hate to be apart from you."

His eyes danced, but beneath the humor, that familiar darkness flickered, sending a chill down my spine. "Would you like to eat first, or shall we dance?"

"Whichever you prefer."

Titan took my hand, led me onto the dancefloor, and pulled me close. Our bodies swayed, and I closed my eyes, imagining the soft instrumental was a rhythmic chant. That the violin was a beating drum. That the man holding me was wild and mine, guiding me in a dance as natural and old as our creation.

But when the music ended, Titan stepped back, and I opened my eyes to the hell I'd awakened in. "Greet our guests," he said, his words sharper than could be excused.

Curious onlookers too close to have missed his tone watched with rapt anticipation, and I offered them my best smile to disappoint them. "Why, Lady Birch, your dress is absolutely stunning! You must tell me who made it."

I didn't hear her response. I didn't hear any of them as they prattled on about themselves. Thankfully, that was all any of them wanted to do. I went through the motions, gave my greetings, and then nodded along until it was time to move on to the next.

That is until Aster took my arm and smiled up at me with her wooden smile. "Lovely to see you, dear. Did you enjoy your time away?"

I slipped, and for a moment too long, my mask fell into an overdue sneer. I couldn't help it. It was the first time I'd seen her since that night. The night she'd turned us in and ruined our advantage.

Aster grinned at my reaction, and her voice lowered. "You're upset with me. I understand. Perhaps I can make it up to you."

"No thank you." I turned away, heading toward the first quiet corner I could find. I needed a moment to compose myself before I lost my cool. I would not allow that woman to cause Huck any more pain than she already had.

I reached a spot where a large indoor plant offered a semblance of solitude, only to turn and find Aster had followed me step for step.

I startled, and she grinned again. "No need to be so jumpy, child. I am only offering to help."

"I don't need your help," I seethed.

"Don't you?" She lifted a brow. "Then I guess you'd like to leave your mate to die alone."

"My mate would be here if you hadn't interfered," I said.

"I only do as the goddess guides me, and I'm sure much has happened since that night. Things that needed to happen in order for her plan to be fulfilled. Now, here we are, and I have been compelled to act on her behalf again."

My eyes narrowed, and I waited. Nothing she could do or say could ever make me trust her again, but I couldn't stop the hope that flickered to life in my belly. There was no clear path that I could see, and I needed to do something. I needed to get him out of that room.

"Meet me in the garden tonight," she said.

I shook my head. "Titan will—"

"Titan will not see."

"You don't know that."

She barked a laugh. "I can assure you, I do. No one sees me unless I wish them to. Now, meet me in the garden when the moon is high, and I'll teach you how to call her to you."

I blinked. "The goddess?"

"No. The maid. Of course the goddess, silly child." She shook her head and turned away. "Don't keep me waiting."