ra

ccept being his backup. He had no i

high nobles assumed Julian would be my chosen mate. Because of my lack of a wolf, they be

truth. Julian would string me along just enough to keep his options op

archment into my hand. It was from Julian. He had bribed the Luna's servant to secretly ask me to meet him

ral stairs, I saw Julian standing by the arched window. He was holding an old, yellowed wolf toot

te smile stretched his lips. It was a look of profound relief, b

" he breathed, st

e, resting on black velvet, was a massive Bloodstone pendant. I stared at the dark red stone, a wave of disgust washing

not need to purchase my good word, Julian," I said softly.

oy took over his features. He completely misunderstood my words.

y in the empty tower. "I knew you would see that everything I do i

something," I said dryly, m

burning in my mind. "Julian," I started, keeping my voice casual. "During the trial...

om grew heavy and cold, and the dust motes dancing

us. A deep, vibrating growl rumbled in the back of his throat, the sound of a threatened A

, a palpable weight intended to make me feel small. "He's noth

ack down. "He is not trash," I replied, looking directly into his angry eyes. "He shot a perfect bullsey

not maliciously rammed into him at the

ide of my neck. Before his fingers could graze my skin, I jerked my body backward,

castle and know nothing of the real world. Outside these walls, Rogues will tear you apart while you sleep." He stepped closer,

It is disgraceful for a royal princess to s

g is going to announce the decrees soon," Julian commanded, his voice leaving no room for argument. "At the

en the best flowers to Seraphina, he had handed me a plain, gray river rock. You do not have a wolf yet, Elara. Plai

. I placed the silver box onto the dusty sto

aid, my voice echoing cle

g stopping. "And I will not choose you

e slowly melted away, revealing something dark and ugly underneath. As the dim light from the window struck his face, his pupils contracted into vertical slits, lik

trum," he said, his voice completely flat. He was trying to convince himself more than me. "You

of my palms. The physical pressure kept my mind sharp and cle

indow. "You are still crying over that old tiara," he sneered, shaking his head. "You do not underst

oose a mate who can actually protect you." He let out a cruel, barking laugh. "Who else is going to take a br

lly think every female wolf in this kingdom ex

" I continued, my voice steady. "You said suitability is more important than winning. You want to rule the Pack, a

om. He could not handle a low-ranking female rejecting him. Suddenly, he stoo

mmand. A power no Omega sho

and steal the air from my lungs. My knees buckled slightly under the invisible weight. Ju

f something ancient-suddenly surged in answer. It was no longer a promise. It was a presence. A current o

t power of the Whit

lian's smirk vanished, replaced by slack-jawed shock. I tilted my ch

spiral stone stairs. I left him standing alone in the shadows, w

The true test was still coming. The Mating Ceremony would reveal

w, smug and certain, waiting for me to call his name. He had no idea I was about to speak a different na