ROME

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

way from the ribbon. A startled gasp escaped my lips as I was pulled forward, my body tumbling against hi

crashed

nst mine, his teeth scraping my lower lip. I tasted copper-blood-and I wasn't sure if it was h

selessly against the wall of muscle beneath his shirt. He didn't budge. He didn't even seem to notic

across my ribs, my hip. It found the hem of the silk nightgown and beg

through me li

dn't let this happen. I couldn't let him take this from me. I

ze on my thigh. I felt his breath on my face, hot and r

oice a trembling whisper. "P

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

was colder than the marble flo

. I could feel the heat of his fingers burning against my s

preparing the lie. "I

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

thigh. I felt the absence of his

oed from the darkness. It wa

elling of the cold night air and the faint trace of my own blood on his lips, ghosted acro

, 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