The Vampire Princess´s Forbidden Attraction to the Enemy Werewolf

A

ut waiting for my answer-a habit that irritated me still, though I'd s

ow," he said without preamble. "They've requested

spike of emotion behind years of practiced compos

that they bring messages from the

lbeing? Or something more concerning? In the two months I'd been at the strongho

g what I would wear, what I would say. How I would present

arching. "The Alpha has ordered a formal welcome

voice neutral. "Thank

more. Finally, he simply nodded an

to verify my information, test my loyalty. I'd been careful to provide accurate details without revealing anyt

faceless figures from the Court dragged me away fr

s I'd been provided-a high-necked tunic of deep blue over black trousers. I needed to l

ture casual but their eyes alert. The Alpha waited in the main courtyard, Luca at his right hand. I was positioned sli

ourt's insignia. I recognized two immediately: Lord Vallen and Lady Eris, both members of the Vampire Council. T

s they surveyed the werewolf stronghold. Their clothes screamed vampire nobility-ela

ied perfectly across the courtyard. No more volume than necessary, yet each syllable dist

omes the Court's representatives. We honor the tr

eful precision. I stood silent, waiting for acknowledgment. I

cold and assessing. "The daughter of

tatement, a question, and a w

n," I replied, using the formal phra

eyes. "The Court is most interested in your obs

enough to hear, far enough to indicate my separate status. Throughout the formal exchanges, the envoys barely addr

already included in my reports. Nothing more,

dn't tr

ld settled in my chest as I watched the envoys speak around me, over me, through me. I wasn't th

When we were finally dismissed-the envoys to guest quarters, the pack leaders to their duties-I wa

sometimes practiced during foul weather. I stood alo

observed, stoppin

ittle sound. "H

e your

supposed to be their voice. Their representative. But they treat me like a le

ow made it worse. The truth

ng their rules. Writing their reports. Playing their games. And for what?

thoughtful. "Maybe it's time y

a physical blow. So

the question raw and honest in a

before turning away. "The envoys leave tomorrow afte

ther performance.

old, I slipped outside, seeking solitude. Snow had begun to fall-the first of the

s caught in my hair, melted on my skin. I wore no coat, feeling the cold as a clean

I was alone; the next, he stood beside

once, we weren't guard and prisoner, wolf and vampire, enemies on opposite

ur-lined leather garment that carr

eant acknowledging weakn

, asking nothing,

e coat from him. That same electric current passed bet

Its weight settled like an embrace, warm

u," I sai

omething shifted between us-something I wasn't ready to n

ng darkness claim the stronghold. For the fir