Claimed by the Alpha that rejected me

I

now what I

nitely not the suffocating cold that wrap

ir smelled of smoke and old wood, like something forgotten. But there was no warmth. Just

table, stiff-backed, silent. Their gazes drifted towar

never

rward, too proud to step back. Their silence w

table, seated like a ki

re

ph

om, it devoured it. Even without a word

ed to the parchment before him, fingers tapping slowly agains

e lump forming

I hated how it trembled, hated how it gave me away. But standing her

mmediately. He liked the silence. H

ved. Fingers stille

p, unreadable, empty of

ause of the arra

ble. No explanation

it on my tongue. My heart began to race. No one arranged anything

er-bound book a

en

thudding with each inch closer. I didn't dare sit. Didn't deserve to

egant script, rows upon rows

en I s

n

d

like

whispered, voice cracki

e corrected. He rose from his seat, slow and deliberate. T

lin

ough he didn't move closer, I felt him

The pack needs stability.

e words came out before I could stop them. "Why would you c

I'd s

like the others might have. He only watched, his

stand in this role," he said.

I was a piece in his chess g

if I

t a smile. "Then your life he

Was this really happening? Was I be

d, though some part

't blin

med to fall b

ord barely l

was suffocating. "The contract

gh my limbs. I couldn't breathe. Couldn't

t under

cut in, voice hardening. "The pack n

hat w

n't a

s a

to be

at my sides. My eyes burned, but I refused to

legs, eager to leave

ice stoppe

to behave acco

y, still refusi

The moon hung high, pale and

st time in a lo

letely, utt