ra

y was sho

back to the main hall. I was not invited, but I didn't need to be. I knew Cordie. S

sphere in the room had changed. The overt hostil

en... under a great deal of emotional strain. Her apprehension about the union is perhaps more

t didn't reach her eyes. "Matriarch, Alpha Gavin's patience, whe

wrapped in black velvet. She didn't

" she said smoothly. "He sent this last night, by his fast

brow furrowed in suspic

on a cushion of

piece of art, the muscles of the wolf coiled as if ready to spring, its head raised in a silent howl. The craftsmans

very she-wolf knew. T

a gift of courtship. It was a declaration. A symbol given only once, to the Alpha's ch

xed on me, "that no matter what she fears, no matter what whispers she has heard,

asn't angry. He wasn't insulted. He was... reassuring. And utterly, terrifyingly

ing her eyes. This was not the reaction of an Alpha

e totem from Cordie and holding it out t

shackle. A beautifully carved, incredibly powerful shack

ly instinctual retreat. My

ept it," I whisper

m, to accept the bond. It would un

into a mask of cold disapproval. "Lady Amara, an Alpha's patience has i

o speak, my throat tight with

ved with swift authority. She stepped between us

gnificant gift... she is emotional." She turned her back on me, placing the totem on the mantel

for me. She had ma

r's back, a fresh wave of

control the new dynamic. She turned back to Mrs. Sul

honored if you and the Stonefang delegation would remain as our guests and attend the festiviti

She was inviting hi

invitation to my Alpha," she said, her smile returning. "I am certain h

s another deliberate, possessiv

ie. "Why?" I demanded, my voice shaking with betrayal. "

vy and complex. She looked from my face to the

nto the eyes of the Alpha who is so determined to claim you, and I need to decide which