At the Trial Grounds, my brother Cade and my sister stood on either side of me, worry plain on their faces.

"Calla, stop." My sister grabbed my hand around the bow, her voice tight. "Your injuries haven't healed. One more fall could kill you."

Cade stood on the other side, his face dark.

"There are a hundred better men out there. I'll find you one myself. We don't have to follow this trial."

I kept my head down and said nothing.

I knew they were hurting for me.

Six falls from a horse — every single one had put me in bed for two weeks.

New scars over old ones. The Pack Healer's sighs had grown heavier each time.

I kept telling myself: one more try, and Rowan would be waiting for me on the other side.

I never once thought those accidents weren't accidents.

Rowan Thorne walked over from the other side of the crowd. He had caught Cade's words, and a flicker of displeasure crossed his face.

"Cade, Calla and I want this. You can't tear us apart over a few accidents."

Cade's temper flared. He clenched his fist.

"Rowan, my biggest regret is ever bringing you into our Pack."

Three years ago, Cade had brought his friend Rowan Thorne to Sterling Manor.

I was chasing butterflies in the garden in the spring sunshine. He stood at the corridor and watched me for a long time, and then he was in love with me.

Rowan was polished and attentive. I was fourteen. I fell hard.

When I learned about the Thorne Pack's Mate Trial requirement, I dragged myself to the training grounds every day for three years — me, who had never cared for riding or archery.

My thighs were raw and scarred. My palms were layered with calluses. I cried in private more times than I could count.

But thinking I'd get to be with him made it feel worth it.

I never imagined that every single fall had something to do with him.

I lowered my eyes and slowly curled my fingers into my palm.

Rowan glanced at Cade, his tone easy.

"You don't get a say. Calla wants to try again."

Cade and my sister both looked at me. Pleading.

I looked up and gave them a small smile — the same one I'd given them every time I climbed up before.

"It's fine. Trust me."

Rowan laughed, pleased with himself.

Cade stepped back and cleared the way, his eyes full of disappointment.

I walked toward Rowan, my nails pressing into my palm.

This time, I would make him understand — some debts have to be paid.

Rowan reached out to take my hand. I shifted slightly and avoided it.

He blinked. I kept my expression neutral and offered a reason: "I put ointment on my hands. They're dirty."

He smiled gently. "I don't mind." But he didn't reach again.

We walked together to stand before the Thorne Pack elders.

The elders looked unhappy. Six attempts with no success — the Thorne Pack had no precedent for this. They had never liked this arrangement. It was Rowan who had insisted he would have no one but me.

His mother's voice was cool. "If you fail again, perhaps you're not suited to be a Thorne mate."

"All right," I said, quick and clean.

Rowan led me to pick a horse, and the warmth left his smile. "Calla, why did you agree so fast?"

I glanced at him. "I just said it. Why — do you think I'll miss again?"

He went still for a moment, then looked away. Something uneasy moved across his face.

"I don't mean that... but accidents happen."

I looked him in the eyes. "If the seventh try is an accident too, then it's fate. I won't force something the universe has decided isn't meant to be."

Rowan's face went slightly pale. "Calla, what do you mean by that?"

I smiled. "Nothing. I just think this time will work."

"Don't you?"

He was quiet. His gaze drifted to the horse — the one that had been tampered with — and he pointed at it.

"That one. She's gentle."

His voice softened.

"I believe in you too. But Calla —"

"Even if something goes wrong, I'd try an eighth time."

I looked at that familiar, easy face and felt something go cold inside me.

He had still chosen to let me fall.

So whatever I did next, he had it coming.

After Rowan and the others left the night before, I had gone to the stable alone.

The horse was still tied there. I reached under the saddle.

My fingers found something cold.

The pin was longer than an ordinary pin, its tip polished sharp and fine. When the rider moved and the horse's back rose and fell, the pin would drive into the flesh. The horse would spook. The rider would fall.

I stood there holding it for a long time. The cold worked into my bones.

I couldn't understand it. If he didn't want to marry me, he could have said so.

I'm not someone who falls apart without a man. Why the schemes? Why the six falls?

I left the stable with the pin and made my way to the small cottage Rowan kept on the edge of the Thorne territory. The wall was low. The lights were on inside. I could see two shapes through the curtain.

"I moved the pin. Happy now? You jealous little thing."

Rowan's voice. Loose. Amused.

A woman laughed, drawing it out. "You're not afraid of hurting your dear mate-to-be?"

Rowan laughed.

"She's my mate-to-be. You're the one who has my heart. I can't let you suffer, so she has to take the hit instead."