Craving The Ruthless Alpha!

e: When He

intly of crushed he

er's quarters. The walls were lined with shelves of dried roots, tinctures, and blood soaked bandage

lay still, pale, quiet, eyes half lidd

ith the deep rust of healing blood. Every breath she took was a small battle

st...

spooning broth from a wooden bowl. "Just

er head with

loser. "I boiled this myself. Chicken a

her face t

with a gentle clink. "He's not com

ght back

almost died. You saved him and he hasn't com

ed. "He's... he's the Prince. And Al

ion. "Is that what you really believe, or is tha

lent for a

ispered, "H

ra.

as inches from death. I shielded him. Took the bi

d the room, fingers

He doesn't notice you and the times he did, he humiliated

ante

You're breaking yourself for someone who

clutching her ribs

e will! Because everyone else lets you drown in your fa

's eyes. "You don

kind and beautiful and brave as you can fall for a ma

e trembling. "He's not like t

see what you

open before Lyr

d his head in. "The Crown

gas

widened. "

respectful nod

ng into the first real smile in days. "He's coming. Ari

opened, but n

whispered. "Maybe to apologize

ngers, ignoring the pain in her ribs.

muttered under her breath.

again, this time

tone. Leat

kin. His presence silenced the world. His eyes were dark, unreadable

at her t

ell were yo

nked. "I

tt?" His voice was cold, clipped, like metal agai

were in d

e growled. "I

king. "I saw blood. I...I thought you needed

ask for

to," she whispe

e me loo

struck lik

oze. "

front of my warriors. In front of the enemy. A female, an unranked,

er mouth, but

my men. You nearly died, and now the entire kingdom whispers about how

ss you," she said weakly. "

oared, slamming his hand on the windo

Lyra said quietly, eyes wide with

er do tha

suddenly soft,

you mean

rembled in her

her words disgusted h

like he'd

cs or your damn daydreams." He leaned in, voice like poison. "You are nothing, Lyra Hale. And you will never

ashed into

lips qu

r Luna," she whispered. Deep

ared

g to matter." She

e turned and walked ou

slammed b

yra b

words had shattered every bone in her chest. The sobs came soundless a

g her in her arms, stroking her hair, whispering whatever comfor

didn't

nded the moment

choked out. "I l

, baby.

him. I would

kno

e?" she sobbed. "Why

r own cheeks now. "He's blind, Ly. He's blind

ht he'd

kno

finally mea

t not to him

ft to cry. Until her throat went raw an

he trees and the scent of cru

he didn't