ora

elds star

gaze, my heart hammering against my ribs like a trapped bird. I

a sharp voice cut

her mind! A wolfles

Her face was a mask of contrived conce

dismissive gesture that silenced her as effectively as a gag. Beat

oment, to his mother. A silent

I heard her murmur, her voice low but firm. "Th

turned his attention back to the crowd, his voice booming wi

e honor of House Fi

ne again. "Your d

ot the script they had imagined. I felt a tremor of relief so pr

Jasper forward,"

th strong, handsome, and most importantly, unbound Alphas. If I chose one o

rn wolves-tall, broad-shouldered, with the casual arrogance of those who have never known hards

neration, besides my son," Fento

lly accepting the scraps from the Alpha's table. Beatrice was practically vibra

litician's smile. Either would be considered a magnificent catch for any she-wolf in the territo

not

other, then slowly, del

t in the charged silence, it sounded

t me, their handsome faces slack with disbelief. To be publicly refused by

n of an inch. "Why?" The word wa

t the shocked faces in the crowd. It settled, once and

no hint of romance in my eyes. Only

ach word a carefully placed stone. "I was to be the mate of

to either of them would make me the wife of a

l the air, all the power, all the a

t to commi

paused, letting the anticipation build to an unbearable pea

Extended my index

, but down, at t

lpha Fento

nce was absolute-a vacuum w

ly struck her. Augusta's regal composure fin

joke, had just demanded the hand of the undispute