As I hurried inside from the balcony, my heart raced. But while I left Dylan behind physically, the look of anguish on his handsome face wouldn’t leave my bruised heart. I’d told him I couldn’t be his mate, and I’d meant it. I’d meant it seven years ago, and I meant it now. I hadn’t come back to Starsmoon for Dylan. I’d come here because pack rules had forced my hand.
Yet, the distress stamped across his strong features made me ache to go back and comfort him. But I couldn’t. I didn’t belong here. I had a whole life elsewhere. I had Fern.
The thought of my daughter finally had me quickening my pace across the reception room. I moved so quickly I barely noticed Lucy strutting towards me. But my wolf’s quick reflexes rose within me. I ducked out of the way of Lucy’s hand as she struck out at me—the long cream dress she wore and her wavy curls seemed to ripple with fury.
“You’re a conniving little bitch!” Lucy shrieked.
I gawped at her, my body churning with too much feeling. Still reeling from the shock of Dylan’s confession to me, I felt as if I was in a trance.
Lucy continued her tirade, her tall, slender form shaking. “I saw it yesterday. I knew you were back here just to seduce him, even though you rejected him.”
“Dylan’s Beta demanded I come back,” I argued. “I came here because pack rules forced me to. Otherwise,” I emphasized, “I’ve got nothing to do with Dylan.”
The same unrelenting suspicion marred Lucy’s face.