The Hidden Luna of Blackmoor Valley

ia'

above the eastern wall, m

askets, and covered dishes. The whole estate was preparing for the Alpha's arrival. People who had never noti

wet ash. Steam clouded the windows, and each time

ew. What unsettled me was the way convers

me from behind a sta

one did not rea

to anyone," anothe

at every unmated woman

the floor, followed

s older than the packs that claimed it, older than most of the laws governing marriage and succession. The stories said the

here would be no wedding alliance

would b

d behind me with a tray of empty cups. S

en threw a chair thr

d at her

ld. Even Celeste." Her eyes widened as she looked toward the

?" I aske

enough to be co

went still

ou are old enoug

ld answer, M

s that never seemed to ease. In fifteen years, I had not once seen her smil

the kitchen and

Come w

wn the p

re I could swallow it, an

ut she did not waste

see every unmated wo

part of th

not your

grip did not hurt, but it was firm enough t

owed h

ming to follow us beneath the flickering lamps. Most of my life had been confined to servants' quarters, kitchens, and sto

row door and hande

ang

t. "Why am I being

. Celeste is not his mate, an

es not explain

The pause was bri

there were no other unmate

I being bro

mentioned a woman who had been k

alt

e was. Vivienne could not deny your existence without making hers

o long, but at least it was cleaner than what I had worn in the kitchen. I tucked the charm beneat

hall wa

ow, tense voices. Too many scents crowded the air: expensive perfume

arta led me inside. A few

is

Edmund's

este was the o

s like a

s a se

king directly at powerful people gave them an

of the hall. A round stone rested on it, dark and smooth in the torchlight. It

nding

od the Alpha

od so still that everyone moving nearby seemed nervous by comparison. His dark hair was brushed back

ked to

ulled insid

ide the stone

," he called.

engthen with every s

before the

, the stone

light appeared be