ROME

ical thing, a toxic sludge filling my throat, making it hard to breathe. My ha

a th

of my mind. It was a gamble, a stupid one, with my life as th

my han

lly crafted whisper of apology and fragi

was sharp, heavy, and full of pressure. The Alpha pheromones in the air thickened, a clear signal of his disple

was colder than the marble flo

preparing the lie. "I

grant a moment's reprieve. I lowered my head, my hair falling over my face like a curtain, a

oed from the darkness. It wa

. His breath, smelling of the cold night air, ghosted across my forehead.

, his voice a low vibration that seem

lpha of his power could scent the hormonal changes in an

to the Alpha King would be far worse than simply obeying his initial comman

didn'

ence receding. He took a step back, the pr

ng to that flat, unreadable tone. The calmness was more unsettling t

I remained a statue of feig

ed his outer layers, the rustle of expensive fabric a stark contrast

in th

re," he

old expanse of the sheets, stopping at the very edge, keeping as much distan

n the frozen room, yet his presence offered no comfort, only a di

ide chasm, yet his existence filled eve

to the slow, steady rhythm of his breathing, every nerve alight with tension

painted the sky in shades of gray

without a wasted motion. He was a phantom, preparing to melt back into the world outs

lence, right beside my ear. He h

one low and sharp. "The next time you try

rigid. The blood d

k

had let me think I'd succeeded, only to deliver

ut. His footsteps f

back was drenched in a cold sweat, the silk nightgow