an's
oment I stepped onto C
uniquely hers-something that made my wolf surg
at
through my min
il meetings pressuring me to choose someone,
med me. I saw her pinned in a chair, two guards restrainin
vision sharpened, narrowed to the sight o
's M
e came out as a growl, Alpha command roll
sed her instantl
d the room in
e green eyes-stunning, defia
r into my arms, to shield her, to te
op a few feet away, my ha
. "Alpha King Blackw
never left my mate.
the windows. "Your Majesty
on her." I let my wolf bleed into my voice, watching with sa
ike she couldn't quite process what was happening. Ther
have been
niable, overwhelming. But she was looking at me like I
clicked into pla
couldn't feel the mate bond the way we did. T
between us-something cold and guarded in her
and toward her.
from my hand to my face. For a mo
stretched hand entirely, and wa
d down the instinct to simply pick her up and
tarted, her voice tight.
ing at her. "Touch her again, and I'll dismantle t
at followed wa
out of the parlor, my men fa
-
k into the ci
r from me as physically possible. She stared out the
dening. Every instinct I had demanded I pull he
e was
?" I asked, keepi
ri
name on my tongue. It
King of the Blackwood Pack. Ruler of the entir
er voice. No fear, ei
ned softly
she asked suddenly, s
you nee
not an
, the way her fingers twisted together in her l
my mat
ng in the ai
y then, and I saw it-disbe
" she repea
es
a bitter sound that
ha shows up out of nowhere, claims I'm his destined soulm
r voice cut deepe
ing you t
I appreciate the rescue back there. I do. But I've had
" I could hear the frustration cr
feel an
it like a p
el it-she was human. But the way she said it, the
u can't feel it because you're human.
. She crossed her arms and leaned back aga
was ready to bolt. I couldn't let her run. I had to find a way to kee
ract ma
me like I'd
to remain businesslike even as my wolf clawed at my chest. "I need a mate t
ary' tasted like
at reducing our sacred bon
she said slowly, her voice fla
h of us right now, isn't it?" The words felt like
could practically see her mind workin
r head. "I don't thin
ad, I pulled out my phone and sent my private
said, my tone leaving no room
hen back at me with a frown
gh-rise downtown. Elegant enough for most, but i
here you'r
r n
ri
for the door handle. "Than
he door, I leaned forwa
. The kind that had made more than
orward to our
for a second. Then her m
e, Alph
lobby, every instinct screaming at me to foll
lled away, I
hing. I want to know who she is, where she's been,
se. "You found her, d
he city lights blurri
nd
ed her a cont
rt, incredulous lau
sh I
you goin
over my face. "I
, closing my eyes. My wolf was s
t want us,*
growled back.
n't s
to make my mate lose faith
ll had happ
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