he civilized world felt like stepping out of

heeked girl who had crawled into a hollow tree five years ago was dead. In her place was a creature of sharp angles and cold elegance. My silver

lack, with a neckline that dipped just low enough to show th

gh Advisor, his violet eyes reflecting the tension in the room. "But remember, Elara, you are walking into a

d the silver cuffs on my wrists-not shackles this time, but weapons disguised

their miniature Lycan suits. Their golden eyes were wide, taking in the luxury of the carriage, but thei

sked, his brow furrowing. He was the more impulsi

shoulders. "Today, we are playing a game. We are the shadows that walk in the

window. "We're close, aren't we? I can smell the stag

ense the biological tether to the man who had discarded them. I stood up,

celebration of "peace and prosperity" under Alpha Killian's reign. Carriages and luxury SUVs

nnouncing the arrival of various minor dignitaries. But when the carriage door marked with

ed out

ens right before a storm breaks. I didn't look at the crowd; I kept my chin

at the official scroll Silas had handed him. "Her Imperial Hig

bed the marble stairs. The whispers started almost

that

be. She died i

hair... tha

The opulence of the room nauseated me-the crystal chandeliers, the tables over

I sa

lines around his eyes were deeper, and the golden glow of his skin had faded to a dull, sickly bronze. Beside hi

shattered agai

ng pulled by invisible strings. The pack bond-the broken, jagged stump of it-suddenly flared with a white-hot

ken whisper that managed to

im. I didn't curtsy. I didn't smile. I simply looked at h

five degrees with every word. "I believe you forgot to send my

een me and the twins. "This is an outrage! Y

sheer cold radiating from my skin. "But the Forbidden Forest has a way of spi

kirts. He turned ashen, his breath hitching in a way that sounded like a sob. He saw the g

ut a trembling hand toward

mall chest puffing out, and let out a low, vibrating gro

Leo said, his voice echoing with

g off the child was enough to make the less

for his ears only. "They are the heirs you threw into a ravin