ra

oak door swung open, and the tempera

oad shoulders filling the doorframe. His scent-a suffocatingly dominant wave of

resh towels in her arms nearly fell. The other maids kept their eyes glued to

e was a low, gravelly rumble that

ing the heavy door shut behind them. The click of the l

in the corner. His piercing ice-blue eyes locked onto me, sharp and calculating. I kept

id, his tone entirely devoid of warmth. "But do not

al reason behind his coldness. It wasn't just the stress of the Rogue incursions. It was the curse

s Omega to fulfill a broken pact. But I don't need a mate to distract me. I nee

have the absolute protection of the Blackwood Pack. In exchange, you will raise those boys as your o

e shattered dreams of a young bride realizing she was trapped in a loveless, un-Marked union. Because I was wolfle

f unshed tears to my eyes. I let my shoulders slump,

sive curtsy. "I am just a wolfless Omega. To be granted your protection and the honor of caring for

across the room,

er compliance baffled him. He searched my face for any sign of deceit, anger, or hidden ambition,

ly muttered, his voice tigh

angement, Kaelen gave me one last, unreadable look. Then, he turned his bro