me without

world into shades of gray. I stood by the window, wat

ck so

dress draped over her arm.

ring," she said. "

ect

invi

s if I don't

ed. "That woul

s answe

Wolves-men and women-lined the walls, their gazes trac

as being

der than the mansion itself. A raised platform dominat

diated f

lent the moment

id, his voice calm but carryin

ppled throu

ard, his eyes glowing fai

Damien

a woman added sh

ze hardened

napped in

one touches her. No one threatens her. N

red across s

ded. "She eats with whom she choose

art p

sn't pr

s decla

eered. "And if sh

didn't

answer f

ded like

olves filed out, some avoiding my eyes, oth

hed once the r

e I'd be on displa

t," he replied. "And you n

t say an

didn'

"Are those rules for

ed across his fac

ryone,"

, I realized some

meant to

ner or

ld te

mien's declaration l

fted on their feet. Some lowered their heads in acceptance. Others stared ope

longer

ed his throat. "Alpha," he said carefully,

s," Damien cut in

om sti

d," the woman with sharp eyes said. "Y

d. Measured. "She does not nee

tightened

, his jaw set. "And if outsiders come

g through the chamber. When he stopped, he was close

Damien said softly, "t

allo

n't reas

as a w

brushing close enough that I could feel the heat of their bodies. A

s she passed, "

until we wer

to do all that,

, I

target on

ust a fraction. "Yo

the echo of our footsteps the only sound. "Th

"They'll reveal w

t comfort

ng down in sheets. Wolves scattered across the gro

covered archway. "Why

"They aren't afraid of you," he said

't done

t y

e. "You keep

lied. "Something is shifting. And y

rolled o

een brought here, fear wasn't

sibili

rds followed me like a promise

the rul

h ones you can a

ice the star

my shoulders. Wolves stood in small clusters, voices dropping the moment

dg

elf, suddenly very aware of

air was braided tightly down her back, her eye

lose to the Alpha,

needed permission

o a thin smile. "Yo

at meant, she turned and d

to

s echoed

e length of the room. Every creak of the floor sounded

ck broke t

d, no guards,

stless," h

could start a war," I said

ent crossed his face.

hey're afr

e they

way. "But knowing doesn'

woman in the court

ned. "Did she

d. "Which someh

as inte

ze. "So what

ow," he said, "you learn who watches y

ckled softly

ld walk freely,

derstand this-freedom here isn't ab

, sleep ca

eathe around me. Somewhere far off, a wo

, but I pressed a

g was ca

tever i

sn't