gh her sweet scent like a silver blade. "Vanessa doesn't want my man; she w

ting toward the heavy boots thuddin

?" Ethan's voice was a low-frequency gro

ghtly as the heir approached. "Ethan, ignore her. Ar

hite silk dress shimmered, making her look like a high-ranki

"are you still baring your teeth at Ethan because of that Co

sly, Aria? How can you even be mad at an Alpha like Ethan

look at the others. His eyes were dark, his pupils blown wide as he leane

lashed a predatory smile. "Are your ears clogged

e'd clearly underestimated t

u think you're the one leading this hunt?" he hissed. "Knock it off. This is High Al

sh against his side as he marched past a s

damn mind?" Vanessa his

old, icy blue for a split second. "Vanessa, don

cent spiking with anxiety. "How could

gh Alpha. "Let's go. I've waited five years to take bac

paid for this performance, and I wasn't a

ollow respect. "Accept this offering for your birthday. May you

're a credit to the Stone name. Your bonding ceremony is a moon cyc

ll was listening. Ethan's grip on my waist

ays, High Alpha," Ethan inter

Magnus pressed, his voice li

tomorrow," Ethan lied smoothly. "I'll be back the night afte

smirk. The day after tomorrow?

ia. I'm occupied with the Elders today, bu

said, slipping out of Ethan

immediately drifted to the throne, where Lila was already whispering into Magnus's

led, sliding into the seat next to me

Freya, when did you birth a brother for Vanessa? Dominic has been d

carlet. "Aria! My mothe

n cares for Lila. I just assumed you were desperate for a brother

hadn't been able to produce a male heir for th

ou at the High Table," a pack enf

ing my dress. "Of

's voice rise in a frustrated whi

're not here for her. We'r

pling through the cr

? Alpha Pet

e one who runs the nort

. He hasn't been to the Cheshire lands in y

gest son, a shadow-Alpha who lived for the ice a

"If he's back, every female in the North is

s I approached. "Ethan, grow up. Your inte

Sabrina, beamed at me like

Then she glanced at Lila. "Lila, dear, you've been in the north for five years, you might not

t turning sour for a heartbeat.

er, peeling a piece of roasted marrow and placing it on Lila's pla

his chest signaling his displeasure, but he

too," Magnus suggested, hi

cond piece, but as he moved to dro

t," I said, my voice cold as ice. "Let Lila have it. Sh

etting him see the utter la

"Peter said the blizzard made the mountain

state this time?" Ethan asked, h

le, the one who fought the wars and won the gold on the ice. The brothers were two s