Lavender’s wolf growled. This woman, this interloper, would not take her place in Cedar’s life.
"Talk?" Lavender echoed, raising her brow. "About what?"
"About how you’re going to make this work. About how you’re going to let Cedar and me be happy."
A wave of disgust washed over Lavender. She could feel the sharp edge of Fern’s words.
"You’ll never replace me," Lavender said firmly.
"Oh, Luna. I already have." Fern whispered in her ear.
Lavender sat on the edge of her bed, her hands trembling as she stared at the small bundle of herbs Dr. Dahlia had left for her. The healer had been a quiet but constant ally in her journey, teaching her how to harness the power that had always been within her, but she hadn’t known how to use it.
She’d spent hours training with Dahlia in secret, learning how to call upon her healing abilities in new ways. At first, she’d only been able to mend small cuts and bruises, but now, her powers were growing stronger—strong enough, she hoped, to finally break free from Cedar’s hold.
The thought of the bonding ritual Cedar had proposed made her stomach turn. She couldn't go through with it. She wouldn’t.