v

e suffocating silence of the guest room. I slumped against the w

into my pores like a beautiful, lethal poison. My pulse point, where Kaelon's rough thumb had just rested, throbbed wit

l-crushing pull toward anyone, let alone the Alpha King-the father of the man who had just

inner wolf roaring for a claim, while my dormant, empty soul felt no true Mate bond? My body craved his touch, but my mind was

ttering, expensive dresses. On the vanity sat velvet boxes of jewels. All gifts from Aaron, meant for his future Luna. They lo

eans and simple sweaters into the bag. At the very bottom, I carefully placed my thick design sketchbook. I ran my fingers over the wo

ocritical past and escape Kaelon's terrifying, dominant future. I would str

y, bathed in the pale, cold light of early morning. I slipped out, my bare

e beast. Along the mahogany-paneled walls, the giant oil portraits of past Blackwood Alphas glared down at me.

d stepped onto the

sure in the stairwel

rt fla

f the landing, cloaked in the morning shadows, w

absolute, kingly authority. The sheer weight of his aura pressed down on my chest until I couldn't d

the step right above me. His massive, muscular frame entirely

me, his large, calloused hand wrappe

ght of it from my grip, his knuckles

ut loud. My traitorous body instantly leaned toward his radiating heat, entirely cons

eel-gray eyes locking onto mine with a dark, pr