Alvar

nt to Silas, his Royal Beta, who then presented it to me. My hea

ipt, but they carried an absolute, undeniable power: "Granted. Absolute annulment of the union. Harper Alvarado is h

lute protectio

day forward, any harassment against me, or any attempt by the Terrells to touch my

ofound emotion. "Thank you for your

Alvarado, your father and brothers were exceptional warriors. And you... you have

ternal honor," I rep

y. "But I will remind you, the price of absolute freedo

woman who publicly forced an annulmen

t loneliness to drowning in a swamp

ive smile touched Ga

decree, I followed S

air felt incredibly fresh. Fletcher, you could never have imagined this

eful, dignified older woman, surrounded by a contin

owager Luna,

self stepped forward and caught my arms, her hands warm and re

looking up into

ures... they are so like your mother's. If she were still here, seeing you stand

ue. She was my late m

Luna's tone shifted sharply, her face flushing with regal anger. "And that Darla Hutchinson! Does she think she can trample ove

daring not to breathe. Hearing the most respected woman in the empire utterly

ted my hand firmly. "A daughter of House Alvarado must never a

or if that Terrell boy comes barking at your do

de. With the Alpha King's decree and the Dowager Luna's public b

nally walked out of the towering

side, her eyes red

isgrace, now wore incredibly complex, shocked expressions. Not only had I not been kicke

es of everyone in the plaza, I

face the crowd. Then, with deliberate slo

ng enough for the sunlight to catch the massi

ng gasp went throug

y horse's flanks, the white steed neighed and galloped towards the city, lea