The Alpha's bargain bride

, leggings, boots threaded with silver. He'd sent a sash too, the Stormveil crest stitc

t stone. If they wanted to weigh me, to measure me, I would not walk in small

e chamber doors, u

k questions

nswer qu

nswer th

opped m

power. And you don't

d press, the

rcle, tall windows letting in light that somehow didn't reach the floor. Se

smile. Didn't bow.

than I expected

her snapped. "A contra

harp enough to cut. A line ran from her temple to collarbone, old an

hamber. "Because the bond is

opped heavy.

oice didn't waver. "I'm not your Luna. I'm here be

permanent sneer sm

yes. "How i

rs ri

t flinch.

like that

I th

m-leaning against a wall, black cloak draped over his frame, s

past. He

pty hall. Into the old win

ng me," I said

voice was low, edged

m. "There's

't mean trust.

each pace deliberate

Vale,"

l's

d his he

do you

know what

rl your Alp

ia

nned me like he'd seen through every breath I'd ever taken. The

my pulse ref

y an hour later. Not reading

ed cases. The shelves leaned with age, books scarred and smudged

urned off. The picture showed a woman standing over

eath had been

ped th

it was

nbo

he woods. The same word carv

it down. Maybe I'd ask Kael.

I di

t

gain. Pine. Stone. Blood. I

d against stone

and, opened the doo

th

o

, carved fresh, still r

wh

br

blee

ooves. My finger

blee

He only looked at me once, eyes unrea

ask how

n water," I said careful

nce. "She w

oth. "Someone left this at the alt

. Blackened on one

had been tied around my wrist as a child, a pack

burned with the

ere i

ppeared. Not on the table.

me I pu

e three wolves returne

cled me.

t on its chest. Who

he sky split open. And I h

Ly

der. Somethi

, hand clutchi

ts had been carved, new words had

belong t