The Alpha's Damnation

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teady with venom, "there's nothing beautiful that could ever come of this." She nodded as if

gripped her jaw with a swiftness that sta

sped, but she held her glare firm, even as

em was electric, crackli

n, running his nose along the curve of her c

rily, the nearness of hi

into a soft, knowing smirk as he pul

are mine, and I own the most beautiful one of them all." His mo

dy mine. There's nothing more I

, defiance ready on he

across her lips in a motion so gentle

oat, replaced by the flutte

pered, the pain in his voice lace

unevenly as the scent of him-earthy, warm, and unden

de her weak in ways she hated. His closeness was overwhel

so much?' she m

ce, yet every fiber of her being seemed to

her ears. The world beyond them faded, the bonfire's glo

touch, his scent, his voice in

y and enjoy the evening," he said coldly, hi

she remained rooted as he released h

red pack, but she knew he was still watchin

arting away. Her lungs burned as she forced herself to breathe steadily, but t

remained etched deeply into her expression,

ew he didn't like it, and reveled

ry glow over the clearing where the pack danced

tightened as the t

they so h

lost my

d with the heat of her anger. And they're celebrati

ing the night air and casting flickering

d haunting melodies that spoke of ancient traditions. I

s around herself as she watched the

s undulating in perfect harmony with the music. Their dance

spectacle. Each laugh, each swirl of mo

o ignore. His dark eyes locked onto her as he crossed the cleari

her fingers tightening around her arms. As he st

dance?" he asked, his voi

p before she could stop them. "Why do y

breaths uneven as she struggle

to deceive Adolphus into lowering his guard. If he thought she had give

she co

h an infuriating calm, br

th you!" she yelled, her voice cracking under the weight of her anger and grief.

the tears threatening to spill. She couldn't

t grew unbearable. A sob bubbled up, threatening to break fre

whispered, her voice barel

across the clearing, away from the mocking la

't here. The pack building loomed in the distance, i

arted toward it, her visi

amming it shut behind her. The silence inside was

en surface of the door as she pressed her

contain finally spilled over, hot and

, broken sob escaped. Her legs gave way, and she

ted to outsmart him, to bide her t

of her situation pressed down on her like a

h. And though she was alone within the confines of the pack building

ted that she didn't know if she