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ra'
r been sla
like
n. I staggered back a step in the dimly lit servants' corridor, the tray of silver goblets clatt
help the maids prepare the ballroom as your contribution to the Grand Mating Ball. If you ca
treated with the same distant indifference most gave to a low-ranking wolf who hadn't shifted yet. Liora had always been the one to assign my tasks, brushing her hair, fetching her gowns, helping with preparations like tonight but even she
ed, lowering my gaze to the stone
emerald gown and swept away, leaving the fai
m was arriving for the mating ceremony? I had always done what was asked. I kept my head down. I never complained
-sharp smile. "You will assist the maids today, Elara. It's important that everything looks perfect. You understand, don't y
, Lunas in jewel-toned gowns, unmated daughters laughing behind gloved hands. I slipped among them like a shadow, tray balanced, offering
et. I was easily mistaken as a human most times. I even began to see myself as one since no
y senses were
. Raw earth and lightning. It wrappe
hampagne splashed cold across my wri
tray
g explosion across the marble. L
pped like a
eye
m, silver eyes
Black hair swept back, jaw like carved stone, midnight silk clingin
gaze
onated i
ed low and insistent between my thighs. My nipples tightened against the damp fabric, visible
a
my head, deep, po
ght the edge of a nearb
ack. His claws flexed, scraping faintly against his palms. I felt his
down from
. Tw
rowd
moved
ng perfectly, smile dazzling. Her fingers curled a
"forgive the clumsiness. It's only my handmai
sharp, almost triumphant. The same look she sometimes wore when no one e
her, it was almost as
patch clinging to my breasts, over the rapid rise and fall of my chest, over the
Hated how his gaze made my
ip cu
ice low and cutting, carrying to e
ing else-overwhelming, intoxicating. Close enough that I could see
d once-bright, desper
dy rule beside me." He said, amused and voice slightl
lms," he declared, loud and final, "reject you, err.
ord s
I gasped, doubling over. Blood trickled from my nose,
erupted a
lips brushing his ear, murmuring something soft.
dn't d
ned a
orridors, then cold night air as I burs
welled again, laughte
I felt it, his gaze
ious. Un
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