a's

ice to sound flustered and new. "My supervisor sent me. I'm suppo

to pass for a uniform. With a shrug, she handed me the heavy s

my eyes fixed on the crystal glasses, avoiding the guards' gaze. They

s I reached the top of the landing, I could hear Cain'

urified. Our children will be true nobi

'd do well to remember your place, Blackwood. Alp

ic families obsessed with their lineage. It was all about status. The thought only

tifying breath and

ai

cut through their conversation like a

hock. His hazel eyes widened, and a flicker of rage ignited within them. The Beta beside

Cain. I walked towards him, the tray still in

er. "An explanation?" he spat, his voice a low, vici

dress. "Look at you, Elara. You look like a lost little se

a diversion. A bit of fun while I waited for something real. Did you

it was a disease. The venom in his voice

s, Blackwood," he said with a dismissive wave, before tur

lie?" My voice trembled. "When you said you

manes were always the goal. You? You were just a stepping stone.

ingering shred of love or hope I had for th

rage. My gaze dropped to the tray in my hands, t

berately, I

do you think you're doing? D

smile touched my lips. "You're

ire glass of champagne onto the front of

tesque flower. His face went from pale to a deep, mottl

s onto the tray. It clat

we're