The Shadow Alpha's Bride

surrounded by tall oaks, was stunning in its stern, icy manner. With their dark wood paneling and endless p

ace. Instead of making her feel like a princess, the delicate fabric made her feel like a shroud. Like the weight

" in a tone as icy as stone. "It's no

t. Sharp and unreadable, his eyes locked with hers. She said, "

For reasons she didn't fully comprehend, the idea of being tied to a guy sh

father's name-the Alpha-slipped through the cracks, but it wasn't only the word that stopped her. Once more, the word "duty" was mentioned. Her destiny was

anity. There was a sense of unease in the air, despite the distant

h the darkness. It wasn't the howl of a wolf, but something darker, more primal. Her breath seiz

tered quietly behind her, holding a tray of fresh flowers

voice sank to a whisp

ray down with trembling hands. I'm not

t a beast? Or another thing? As though the air itself had thickened to warn of an impend

only quiet in its wake. Her own doubt was reflected in the glass as she turned back to face her r

ase, her robe now secured and her hair carefully braided, her heels clicking on the gleaming marble. The deep, hu

he door as it opened. The

as tall, with dark hair that fell in waves over his shoulders. His features were keen, his jaw firm, and though his face remained unreadable, there was a fire

ptivating as he said, "Elowen." "This

her skin tingle with a mixture of fear and somet

He was not your typical man, and it was obvious from every part of her. As though alert

a jigsaw with every word he said and every glance he gave her. There was a part of her that wanted to go, to escape the

worry blending with her interest. Though it appeared like fate had alr

hick with anxiety, the fragrance of incense and roses mingling in her nostrils. Her father, standing at her side, beamed with delight, but all she could fee

hers securely, almost possessively. His warmth flowed into her f

e vows proceeded. His words glided into her ear like a whisper, yet there was an

ponse to his remarks, Elowen felt a peculiar pulse that seemed to originate inside her chest, causing her

her chest grew stronger as soon as the vows were over. In ways she could

gotten. Elowen could only gaze up at the night sky as the moonlight filtered through the window, fi

ed to fulfill her responsibilities and contribute to this planned marriage, but she didn't find happiness or fulf

tomach from the feeling she had experienced during the ceremony. She stood up and walked over to the window to gaze a

unable to ignore the odd allure, but there was more to it-something primo

ldn't get rid of the sensation that the relationship they had just formed was more than just a family contract

ked from the moon back to the room's shadows

hing beyond want, flickered through her veins. It was a call, no