Claimed by the Alpha that rejected me

I

a storm cloud, gray, heav

s clothes. Sleep never came. My eyes burned, and my limbs felt like stone, but

ai

ft but certain, before it crea

the stillness, sharp as ever, but this t

g almost

d not

er perfectly brushed hair catching the dull morni

e needed help dragging herself out of

oice low and flat. "Wh

u have a fitting in thirty minutes. And I figured you might w

For a wed

in my stomach like

t really, who would be? Everyone knows you're just here to seal a deal.

, trying to b

ry word

predator, drawing out

power, not someone who hides in the shadows and smells like dust.

ed. Hands clen

ike," I murmured, "but I'm

use of a contract. Don't conf

vory gown, delicately wrapped. Not gran

on her heel. "The Alpha doesn't

lence fell heavil

ver the fabric. It felt smooth. Ligh

ne wa

ed mirror. My dark hair was a mess, my eyes hollow,

like a

I got d

cast eyes. They barely spoke as they worked, tugging and pinning the dress around me.

tulations.

oblig

from the stool and turned slightly,

e dress that

he girl

t recog

, I was summoned t

d straight and silent, eyes following me as I

before stepping

me. His stance was the same as always, rigid, unrea

y," he said,

to be late," I

ulder, gave a brief nod

ait

he finally spoke. "Do you un

I whi

This isn't a love match, Siena. It's a duty

id. But the wo

notice. "I won't mistreat you. You'll have protection

ed. "But

oked

can offer," he said quie

odd

d a small velvet

e dark lining. Simple. Plain. A crest etched

ou'll wear it after the cere

cruel. But they we

hon

the box a

id, "you become m

e window, signaling the

hand, fingers wrapped tigh

'd escaped to before. The moon hung above me, cas

w, I'd

the pack as Luna, even if

s was a b

s the end of w

sn't

s, I couldn't