*Castor*

Standing at the bottom of the steps, I lean against the stone base that supports the statue of a wolf with its head thrown back, its mouth opened slightly as though howling at the moon or some transgression or unfairness. I had certainly felt like howling earlier in the park when Kiona had been her usual quarrelsome self. If the Alpha wants a quiet wife, he certainly doesn’t want one who responds with such tartness and self-assurance, as though her opinion carries as much weight as his. Even if it does, even if she had made some very valid points.

Even if I had wanted to applaud her, and...