Avery had no idea that these flickering moments would soon be relegated to the vault of unreachable memories. The sight of the pulverized amulet struck another blow to her spirit, a jagged declaration that the past was a carcass and their love was the carrion.

Madison kept probing, her eyes wide with a predator's feigned innocence. "What’s the matter, Omega? Is the metal too stubborn for your 'dormant' hands? It looks like trash to me. I’m no artisan, but even a pup could see this isn't worth the silver it’s cast in."

A bystander from a neutral pack, unable to stomach the cruelty, snarled in Avery’s defense. "You’re overstepping, Madison....