ra'

ger on the way back to

oak door of the maids' dormitory closed behind me. Only then did I let mys

very heartbeat. My dress clung uncomfortably to my skin, champagne and sweat and shame all mixed together. I could still feel the ghost of Dari

my eyes until spots

o

looked at me like I was dirt one second

ing the ball, carrying trays, refilling goblets, smiling t

mist

eet. No crown

humourless,

y body had reacted before my mind could catch up-nipples tightening, thighs pressing together, a slick ache I

'd sa

ow in my chest f

nightshift I kept folded beneath the pillow. The fabric was rough, but clean. I curled onto my side

didn't

uddenly stopped sharing secrets with me overnight. The way the pack had started looking past me like I

felt differe

k startled

of the younger maids, Any

needed in the east wing. Liora

ed. "Now? The ba

" Anya bit her lip. "S

y dress back on over the nig

corridor outside one of the larger rooms, arms crossed, golden hair still perfect despi

starting to think you'd run off fo

even. "What do y

ng the toasts. Nauseous. Dizzy." She pressed a delicate hand t

I can fetch

bered you brought me that glass of wine e

was serving champagne. You asked

ad your fingerprints all over it and your scent is strongly evident o

ed like a sto

hade.

touched any wine tonight. I was bare

ead. "Then how do

the door

y goblet, my fingerprints smudged clearly on the stem-and beside it, a

ammed again

is, and you know

't it? A wolfless handmaid, rejected by the Alpha King in front of everyone, suddenly p

closed the door behind

They'd find the vial. They'd find you here. And Darius..." She let the

hy are you doing this

g moment. Then she smile

ut of my way.

small bell

urst in-two of Darius's

Liora ordered. "She's under suspi

abbed m

do this Liora. I'm inn

I also knew that the punishment for treason was death

coughing continuously. The healer appeared a

" I tried again, attem

pha king's mother, gav

ou attempted this inside my palace wall

a called soundin

take her to her room."

been some sort of misunderstanding. She probably got jealous that the Al

. Do not worry. This will be properly investigate

ress. Even I started to believe her. As the maids help

ave come here with

ry, I know you're innocent,

ly and yet you commit this atrocity against her?!" Luna Seraphine's

my sight before I rip her apart."

ght, didn't struggle.

corridor, Liora called aft

ak to the King. I'll beg for

r clanged sh

ld stone under

, back against the

ybe minutes. Time

foots

oor o

, silhouetted agai

s burne

," he said quietly. "Death

dy knew this but it felt mo

ncy." His jaw tightened. "She

de. The door cl

ere

enough that his scent wrapped ar

," he murmured. "None of

ilent, starin

m after all the Alpha King of this r

liberately close. I could here his he

ould still be a servant, but I would serve a greater master. But I could

ot be your mistress, I am ready to accept the consequ

ed in his eyes-re

go and sto

told the guards outside. "Banish he

ithout an

oor s

y forehead

ish

this wouldn't be so bad after all. I w

l. Yes, banishment wasn't the end of t

cell window. It was

s be the dawn of a new beginn

s final whisper echoed in my mind-the one s

y friends will be wait