A G

ep him waiting. He's not a very patient man." The woma

mid-fifties, dressed in a

uctantly, I wal

eating a meager meal of watery oats with my parents. And now, I was here

here as a guest. I was here as a bride-t

a knock on the doo

arrived. T

hey spoke to my parents, and although I couldn't hear their words, I k

y basket in hand, their flinty eye

despite my dad standing a solid six feet tall. From their size and presence alone

were

to wolves, they were something

o shift under the full moon,

in place, keeping the peace... keeping us safe, s

xplain why they h

e meeting, one w

ria

sake of mating

t said no. I had

e. You are to marry a very powe

y cheek. "All you have to do is

sery." My father added. "I always knew God blesse

ed. "We need this money, Lyla. We mi

yet, they had given me awa

come for me. He was red-haired, with ocean blue eyes,

estate and handed me over to the woman

stop trailing beh

kened

sapproval and disgust were obvious in her small, e

to make these

frame, and my hair... my gloriously beautiful golden hair wa

I'd chosen to look as haggar

essing well for a pla

I'd been

ir minds, realize what a terrible mi

at filth before bringing you to the master," The woma

you straight to him the minute

oment longer before she exhaled, shoo

o

sita

door was m

door was Zep

be as menacing

Alp

by many and had no desire for a mate, yet was event

ded, but I would not

hard, I stepped inside, shutt

yes ran over the extravagant décor before landing on the man

something else entirely. He stood only a few inches talle

ck from his shower, clung to his forehead, and green

sculpted V-line to make my mouth almost drop open... not just at the bl

-four or maybe five, ruggedly built

om the trance, I dragged my gaz

sion as he approached. Slowly, he began to circle

er, my body more rigid tha

and gently tug at the band holding my hair

is eyes flare for a brief moment before he tossed the band across the room and

eath of relief, only then realizing I had bee

nally spoke, throwing open his wardrobe. His v

m pull out a robe, wondering if he wa

he asked casually, s

until he was fully covered. I wasn't menta

ready knew it would be worse than what I was experiencing now

eniably, unfai

r mate," I mutt

face me now fully covered in th

e gene at least... someone worthy of an Alpha. But he had said no, stating that the

had cho

bitten soon, turned i

a cursed creature. Although strong and pow

at at the thought, b

had said. W

cut through my thoughts. His brows were f

t was it with these

ea of him addressing it as rags, just as the woman bef

ine, and I bit back my tongue

he said, as if re

I snapped. "My clo

replied, catching me o

anched in

our room and everything you need," Zephyr continued.

g down at my feet. Surely, that had to be

s my maid. She hated me.

ght scoff, again as if reading my th

d on a large portrait hanging on the wall. Zephyr stood with the two men f

he others stood behind him, e

e if your gratitude is

o ask how he knew, but then I remembere

s a b

ll that could likely scent my ha