Prologue

Putting her head back against the bathroom stall, Ember Lyra listened to the laughter and joking on the other side while she struggled to control the pain that was going through her.

Even though it wasn't as strong as it could be, but for a mere human like herself, the pain was excruciating and she bit her lip, so she didn't cry out the tears coming to her eyes.

She knew what the pain meant although many believed she was stupid and had no idea why such pain went through her from the time her and Eon Garis mated.

"Mated, what a joke," she whispered in the stall, unheard by the young women who were rushing out of the bathroom since the dismissal bell had already rang to let the students know it was time to go home.

Being the weekend made it even better, well at least, for most of them, Ember corrected blinking back her tears.

Finally, the pain subsided, and she straightened opening the stall door grateful that the bathroom was empty now.

Walking over to the sink, she glanced at herself in the mirror and flinched at the reflection which looked back.

"Don't I look lovely," she muttered sarcastically turning on the faucet and leaning down to splash cold water on her pale face while her lip bled due to her biting it.

Closing her eyes, she wondered briefly how her uncle was going to take the decision she had come to almost an hour ago when the pain had first started, and she shook her head knowing her uncle would support her even if he wouldn't be happy about it.

Bracing herself on the sides of the sink, Ember found herself calling out to her aunt knowing that she wouldn't get an answer especially since Tara Lyra had passed away almost five years ago. That was the year she had come to live with Mike Lyra, her aunt's mate and husband, and the Alpha of the silver moon pack.

She grinned at the thoughts running through her head, which helped to dim the pain still throbbing in her body.

Her aunt had been a shapeshifter, but not a full-blooded one like Alpha Mike. One of the reasons, Ember surmised, that she hadn't been genuinely liked by her mate's pack although she was his true mate.

"Mate," Ember whispered shaking her head slowly.

Even though her aunt had explained about mates when she was ten, it didn't sink in until about two years ago when one of her uncle's fighter wolves suddenly claimed her as his mate. Yet, it wasn't anything like what her aunt had explained to her even if at the time she didn't understand everything told to her.

When she first met Eon, she felt a pleasant sensation but nothing life changing that made her heart beat faster and if now, the pain that swept through her every time he went to bed with another woman, it wasn't as severe as she thought it could be.

"He doesn't love you," Ember told herself straightening up from the sink and staring into her reflection. "You've known it since the first time the pain pierced through you almost a month after your mating, so it is time you dissolve this mating."

Nodding at her reflection, Ember turned and walked out first heading to her locker where she emptied it out, and then to the guidance office where she had to wait thirty minutes to talk with the councilor.

The meeting only took five minutes when Ember explained she wanted to take that early college admission that the councilor offered a month ago since Ember had met her requirements for early graduation.

The Councilor was thrilled at the news, Ember realized, since the woman had believed that Ember was wasting her time here when she could be doing so much more, and Ember listened as the Councilor made the call getting all the information Ember would need.

"They are faxing over everything now," she was told once the councilor hung up. "You can start on Monday if you would like although it will only be taking some classes that they think you may need."

"I understand," Ember replied gathering her bag and standing up while the councilor gathered the fax that was coming through at that moment.

Handing the papers to Ember, she smiled gently. "It was a pleasure to have you, Ember, and I wish you the best in the future."

Ember smiled and thanked her before she left the building ignoring the few students that lingered in the hall especially since some were pack members and friends of Eon.

It amazed her how normal humans such like herself didn't realize that some of the students they went to school with weren't human, and yet she could understand why they didn't know having firsthand knowledge of how well supernatural individuals could blend in with normal society.

"You shouldn't try to ignore me," a voice hissed grabbing her hard by the arm yanking her to a stop, and Ember met the dull green eyes of one of Eon's friends, or followers, Ember amended staring at him.

"I have things to do," Ember said bluntly making her brown eyes go wide before glancing down at the hand which gripped her. "Can I help you with something?"

The young man sneered at her before he stepped closer leaning down to whisper in her ear. "I heard about your little escape into the bathroom. What is wrong, feeling some pain?"

His voice was taunting, and Ember's jaw clenched but she spoke in a lowered voice. "In my chest if you must know."

She knew the honest answer would get a laugh, and she wasn't wrong when he tossed back his head letting out a gruff laugh.

"That pain is from your mate enjoying an intimate afternoon with another," he snickered lowering his voice when a few humans walked by laughing at the scene. "She is his true mate, human, one that deserves to be by his side unlike your worthless human trash."

Knowing how the pack felt was one thing, but hearing it from one of their mouths, was ten times worse Ember realized feeling her stomach twist at the words.

"So, be prepared," he warned tossing her away from him.

Ember watched him stride away meeting up with a few other pack members who snickered at her before following behind him.

Ember shifted where she stood and waited a few minutes gripping the folder she had placed the papers about her college admission in, and lashes came down shielding her eyes from the pity looks she was getting from the few students left.

Giving them a smile, Ember walked out of the building heading for the rundown car Eon had given her to 'appease' her as he called it when he tossed her the keys. She had been delighted until she got a look at the car and realized he had merely bought a trash car, so he wouldn't have to take her back and forth to school.

Ember,with her uncle's help, had made sure the car stayed in working order at least until she graduated high school.

Ember found herself smiling, though, wondering what Eon would say if he knew that she didn't need the car since she already had one, and in better condition.

Walking over to the battered vehicle, Ember ran a hand over the hood. "Thank you," she whispered knowing that she looked ridiculous, but felt it was the right thing to do.

Climbing inside, she placed the folder and her bag in the passenger seat before reaching out to open the glove compartment where she pulled out a cell phone, a new model at that, and dialed a number.

Starting the car with the phone to her ear, Ember waited for it to answer eyes shifting around the school taking it in for the last time before she shifted the car into reverse and started backing out of the parking lot.

Just as she put the car in drive, her call was answered on the other end.

"Hi, Uncle Mike," Ember greeted after his hearty 'hello'. "I made my decision, and I will be leaving on tomorrow, so I can make it in time by my first class on Monday."