The Alpha's Luna and the Bloodmoon Amulet

ttempt and the crushing certainty of Cove's grip, all replaying in flashes in her mind. Her eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, the soft, golden

that they felt almost otherworldly against her skin. The mattress beneath her was plush, the kind that swallowed you whole.

gous spider from the ceiling. Floor-to-ceiling windows lined one wall, their thick velvet drapes pulled partially back to reveal the bars

to be one. It was a palace. A gilded cage designe

ed by a thin, deceptively delicate chain that gleamed with the cruel bite of moonlight. She tugged instinctively, hiss

was tr

her breath, her voice raw fro

d on the ornate door across the room, its heavy oak frame and iron detailing, made it clear she wouldn'

he had tried to run. None

ire body tensed, her senses sharpening. She held her breath as the sound grew louder,

g open, and t

a tray in one hand, the faint clink of some delicate porcelain cups punctuating his steps. His silvery eyes locked

no different from the man who had captured her the night before, broad shoulders, dark hair that f

his voice smooth but la

, forcing herself t

demanded, holding up

lips. He placed the tray on a small table by the bed, then leaned c

t?" he asked, his tone

oner," Lycia shot back, he

rough, vibrating through the ro

to steal from me, and now you

ed, and she lifted

know it wa

lightly. He straightened and took a step closer, his movements

way he loomed over her, the way his towering presence seemed to fill every inch of the roo

o strip away every defense, leaving her bare and exposed. Lycia could feel his radiating warmth like a smoldering fire, seeping into the ro

red slightly. Taking her gaze away from Cove. She cou

e leaned down, his face j

position to make demands?" he mur

sts, resisting the

she said, though her vo

ent, he looked almost thoughtful, but the fleeting softness was gone in

measured. "Everyone has a choice. And you ma

ze. Lycia froze, her breath catching in her throat as his fingers pressed ag

discussing the weather. His eyes flicked down to her neck, lingering

der his touch. "Then why haven't you?" she

, but there was no warmth in it. "B

s full height. Lycia's breath came in ragged

he ordered, his voice brooking no ar

r anger flaring again. "For

nt in his eyes replaced by something co

Lycia's voice stopped

esting on the frame. He glanced back a

he said, his

he stared after him, her mind whirling with unanswered questions. Her chest he

ghts racing. She was alone now , the air h

oughts running through her mind again: Who was Cove, really? Why would

unding her. She glanced at her wrists. The pale skin was al

ark of anger within her, bur

stay here.

old floor. She tugged at the shackles again, wincing as the silv

ting against the hearth caught her attention, and a flicker of hope ignited in her

ested its weight. It wasn't much, but it was something, a glim

r. Could she use the poker to break the chain ? Or perhaps pry the open

shiver of both fear and e

he could barely recognize herself. Her hair was a mess, strands clinging to he

ere too. Cove might have caged

ye

te, he was sorely mistaken. She refused to let him win. L