DAY, TH

r from the marble hallway floor, his joints

leave when he heard footsteps approach. A guard in uni

o see you," the g

odded and followed. They walked in silence through twisting corrido

near the hearth. Flames crackled behind him, casting a flickering light over th

h, Blackwood. Word gets around, you know. I've hea

. Blackwood said, ey

continued, his voice light bu

himself with calm dignity. "I don't think I need

icked softly against the marble as he approached. He r

life, you know," th

different for you. A house of your own, a place in

efully stepping back. "But I like my life as it is. Simp

. He motioned to a nearby guard, who stepped forward carrying a polishe

a said. "You can do that, can't you? No questi

ox for a moment before shifti

. I'm only here to work. That's all I've e

turned and walked toward the

cross the Beta's face. He didn't s

sneer. "They're growing wings. The Alpha's gone

with a sharp clack. "He should've taken the gold. Played the foo

ehind him as he stormed out of

-

NIGH

pping into Lysander's room just as he

he mirror. "Heard there's another

doorframe, brows furro

rabbing a jacket f

, clearly surprised

op

d, watching Lysander like he was trying to piece t

to face him. "Why are you

"You've been acting strange since yesterday. Like... distant. Dis

ittle too quickly, waving a hand a

'Cause it's either that or you've sudde

pulling on his jacket. "You told me to stop sulking and h

abysit Zane. Mom's off doing one of

tight smile. "Alrig

, still watching him wi

-

xing with the heavy beat of the bass. Lysander stepped in and felt the energy w

st his thigh. Minutes passed before it hit him, soft and intoxicating

irred imm

's c

er, his heart pounding with anticipation. He reached a hallway leading away from t

is hand to knock, t

but not with surprise. Almost

bed his arm and yanked him insi

?" she snapped, keeping

d, rubbing the back of his neck and looking down. She was breathtaking

t just come looking for me like t

in, lifting his gaze to hers. Hi

o words came at first.

ady. Not yet. I need time, and I need

l. His mate. His other half. But instead of warmth, all

eyes cast downward a

-

h his chest. The lights were dim, but not enough to hide what his eyes immediately caught, Astra,

as sm

he wish w

me fast, sh

us growled inside his head, his voic

look away. Kieran raised a crystal glass o

years strong, and tonight

glasses and the sweet chime of laughter. Hands clapped, feet stomped, an

a possessive, triumpha

red, oblivious to the storm

ing against the mental walls Lysander barely

tunneled in on Kieran and Astra. He didn't remember crossing the r

g him away from Astra. His fist flew before Kieran could even react. The punc

through the cr

s' voice, thick with alpha fury

s started

e say

cess? Is

aim her! He sho

be dru

the blood from his lip, a co

biggest mistake of

as faster, stronger, and trained. Soon, Lysander was on the ground, blood pouring from his nose

m a lesso

m in hi

face. For a moment, he thought she looked c

forward as Lysander's head lolled to the

g hard, before releasing h

h himself up, but Astra's voice c

nutes ago?" she snapped, her

you-you told everyone! Do you have any i

Lysander croaked, wip

uted. "And you... You're nothing but

ck deeper than

ying?" he asked, barely

you." Her voice cracked, and the

ject you, Lysander B

one gasped. Another covere

staggered by the pain no

away, her back straight,

but their eyes snapped bac

ds to drag him out or for t

and ran from the club, the