c

ason I decided to return

dows of the past. I couldn't help but clench my fists tight against the leather horse

the pack's judging hall. Mocking, cursing eyes glared down at me from every corner. Nobody was

tepping forward with a cool, calculated calm.

er than me, stronger, and favored. Why is he doin

eve me?" I begged, tears blurring my vis

ered every piece

ll you," my father barked, his voice echoing off the

ng," the Beta defended, st

breathe," my father commanded coldly. He leveled a harsh glare at the B

could never forget that exact moment, or the look on Draven's face afterwa

ured my plans day by day, waiting for my father's death to finally clear my pa

in front of the massive pack gates. Memories flashed throu

ates, every eye from every corner of t

ard them whisper, the hushed wo

hat the Alpha is dead, he'

lood brother, his stepmot

ack for exile; those exact whispers had felt

I didn't care.

n asked, his voice low and laced

plied, keeping my eyes

ng little difference from when I was a child. But as I hopped down from my horse, a sudden, sharp scent cut

d in my head, pacing

al panic flar

d one, and I had always promised myself that if

her face, the cold walls of m

sharply against the pale skin that seemed to glow under the courtyard lights and when her small hand accidenta

tled doe, and despite my cold heart, I

ing her chin with my fingers. She was breathtaking, I c

Ace. And she's

voice of Selena cut through t

! The words tas

was he always taking

y chest. I wouldn't just take my reven

g up to her. She gently guided Lyra away, but my eyes trailed after her small fi

stepping into my line of sight t

y voice dropping to a

n's wife," Selena scoffed, crossing her arms. "She's completel

h, now I see, A display wife.... That

he rest of the world. I had heard rumors of a silent, silver-haired beauty in th

gressively that she stumbled back a step. Bending do

etting the dark purr of my wolf bleed into my words. "A

ger. "As if she could! Draven won't even look at her. She is for politics,

ely baffled by the encounter. "Alpha..

reading across my face. "Guess the rumors weren

idening as he lowered his voice. "A

teps. "He's just a husband for display. Nothing more. In th

alled out, scrambling to catch

After all, he was the one who had