Chapter 45

• JASON
• I almost snorted out loud when Valentine Monarch, the woman who hated my brother more than the devil revealed she was going to be trying the nocturnal knot. I had expected more from this meeting. I was certain Valentine would be too headstrong to swallow her pride and submit. After all, we had done to her, it made sense. Her bravery wouldn't be the thing to spare her and her pack though. I had grievances against the monarch. A personal vendetta to watch everything Valentine's parents built go burn to the ground. I could not do it then. At that time, my hate was directed to only her parents. When Devin and I chose to carry on our parent's legacy and converge all neighboring packs, I saw an opportunity to finish the Monarch. A headstrong Luna too stupid to understand the workings of the society, one who remained trapped in futile anger was perfect. It would give me the excuse I needed to end what I started and no one would bat an eye. I came for war but perhaps I had misjudged Valentine.
• "You...accept the mate bond?" I queried. "The same bond you have ignored for many years now. Is that how low you would stoop to survive? What happened to the pride of Lunas I am constantly hearing about?"