a

the first light of dawn. It wa

nd slid into the bed beside him, pulling the heavy velvet comforter up to my chin. I turned onto my side, facing the door, and scr

ed out, my voice

, with kind eyes and graying hair, carried a basin of water. The younger o

idening in shock as they took in the scene. Me, in m

round my waist. I blinked at them, my expression

I asked, my voice tr

ied deeply. "Madam, this is the Alpha Apparent's

the still form of Amos beside me, then down at myself. I let out a small,

l. "That's impossible. I was... I was suppo

ion and stress, welled in my eyes and spill

it completely. I was the poor, innocent bride who had s

hem. "You have to help me. Please, take me t

se, Madam. Right away." She gestured to the younge

s watchful, pitying gaze. I buried my face in my han

in dining hall. There, Luna Georgina and Alpha Huston were seated

ound-the distraught new bride in the wrong

t her plate. Her face, already strain

my dress was still creased and smudged with dust. My hair was a mess. I l

y knees, the worn fabric of the dress

I cried, my voice thick with unshed

hint of deception. I met her gaze without flinching, my own eyes wide and

o the wrong room?" he

ed all night. "They gave me so much wine at the reception... my head was spinning. Someone... som

he implication was clear. This wasn't a

a mother. She was a woman. She was begi

ash in my mouth. "We... we completed the bond. And now this... this

at Asha and Blaise now shared as my own. It made my d

t, replaced by the warmth of maternal sympathy. She was looking at a young girl from a less

ments graceful and commanding. She reached down

ce softer now. "This matter will b

irst, most crucial battle. I had secured the sympat

s and beyond. The tale of the tragic Omega bride, so distraught and confused on her wedd

e manor, I knew Asha and Blaise were hearing the whispers, t