ALPHA'S HIDDEN MATE

ncient oak trees that lined the northern border of the pack lands. Inside the manor, the hearth crackled, i

watching the distant figures arrive on horseback. Another delegation, no doubt. Anot

rom behind him, low and clipped.

. It's not too lat

e that followed. You know better than to challenge what's been decided. Th

not my

to deliver them a convenient love story? You're not a pu

yes burning with restrained fury.

deserve,Dorian said. It's

d fought this battle too many times already, and he

and kitchen hands scrambling to prepare a feast that would make the D'Arcy's feel welcome. In the shado

Couldn't, in fact.

f silver and blood. The only clear truth was this: she was not

and her knees raw. If she did well, the steward might let her

wn the corridor. Stable

g the faint scar that curved along her jawline. Outside, horses had beg

smounted. Her touch was careful, respectful-the kind that animals t

rd barked. "Eye

red her gaze further.

had s

teps when his eyes caught the girl near the stables. At first, it was

amiliar

inside him so fa

a

en f

rse had just punched him in the chest. She was frail, dressed in rags, w

wled with r

ng, her red dress billowing behind her like spilled wine.

from the slave girl and placing a poli

ts were still

was

al goblets. Seraphina stood beside Lucien at the head of the table, radiant and

's mind wa

ard the toasts. Every heartbeat brou

ped away. He moved like a shadow through the manor, down the serva

there.

ents slow, tired. She didn't notice him a

s you

chest. He saw the panic in her gaze, the wa

he said softly. P

cket. From it, she drew a tiny, worn piece of parch

ar

s heart

d, tasting the na

ickering behind her eyes,curios

p closer. Do you

k her he

thick with something deeper. And

rst time in years, she felt somet

o