ARRANGED MARRIAGE: LOVING THE MASKED ALPHA

HA

was rising from the horizon, and I was going about my duties as the Al

I know that this day would take an unexpected

diers and monitoring the sharpness and effectiveness of the blows they delivered to the dummies, I rec

containing your mate and th

elped at

mpanied by rage that surged through me like wildfire, causing

standing by as I started on my way o

ed as he turned back to the

ond thought, I sprinted out of the Packhouse. My wolf instincts took

as I ran through the thick forest in my w

k the aura of my guards. After a few minutes of relentless running,

e responsible for this attack

ards who were still with my mate. "Hold your p

atening to kill her!" He rep

d, it was worse

noting how the Pack warriors glared in my direction. I followe

the Pack and had been in

d then I caught sight of her. She was more stunning than I had been told,

ly stopped when I spotted one of the rogues with a knife pressed against my mate's th

, little girl?" the bastard teased her

nd weak. I'm going to have fun with you and when I'm

to surge through me like a tidal wave. Having enough of this assho

t as I instructed my guards through the

d him from behind. The suddenness of my atta

t and scurried away behind a l

been waiting for my signal, descended on the other rog

's strength and speed proving advantag

fangs and claws, but my pack was well-trained,

ush him away. I sustained a minor injury to my left hand, a relatively deep gash that stung with ea

efeated, I turned my attention to

shifted back to my human fo

tree, one blue eye watching m

d her as I put my hand out for her

d skeptical she still made the decision to co

hurt?" I

r eyes widened as she gripped my left hand where

t, but

e," I assured her but she wo

help. I'll b

she appeared again she was holding a sm

tree stump while she

nds gentle and caring, and I found my

he wound on my hand. The forest seemed to hold its breath as we sat ther

with gratitude and something more,

forming a thoughtful line. The connection between us, born of the intens

I offered a faint but sincere smile. "Than

ile of her own. "You saved my

we resumed our jour

h the sweet scent of pine and damp earth. The tension of the earl

cumstances that had brought us here. I had taken on the role

eception to ensure her safety. Andrea, still unaware of my true st

voice filled with curiosity

otions swirling inside me. "I have heard of him, of course, as a di

help but feel a pang of guilt for keeping the truth from her. I

about his strength and leadership. Some say he's a leg

d my response, choosi

er, but legends often embellish the truth. It's best

emained undiminished. "I understand, but I can't

ful silence, the weight of unspoken

ly deepened the intrigue, and I couldn't help

her gaze as she studied my features. "Why are

e measured, "Some things are best left unsaid, m

t help but wonder about the man who saved me today. You ri

dden by the shadows of the forest. "I