lia

astle. It was larger and more menacing than I had imagined, a

ame to g

ta werewolf, his posture

he said, his voice clipp

face. The coldness in his eyes made it clear that I was nothing more th

s were scattered amongst the pews, their dark clothing m

er, stood before the altar. Her expression was grim. S

with us," he said calmly, a faint trace of amusement hidden in his

er dagger. A sapphire glittered in its pommel, and

r for a

d away my identity and treated me as nothing more than an offering for a dea

rnous hall. The guests whispered behind their hands. I could fee

softening slightly. "Take the prince's sigil, and

My fingertips hovered in

pleasure in the scene before him, as if this moment

bout to touch the silver

a step

N

the silence like a stone. The whisperi

wide with surprise. "W

ing under his breath. "Do you have any idea what yo

furious gaze. My voice was steady,

bind with Jude Montgomery," I

y the laws of our people, I am to be afforded the respect of that station. To substitute an Alpha with a da

t texts on pack law. I knew that tradition was the

face flushing a deep red.

to look up at me. "Or perhaps, Steward Reynolds, you believe you have

weight too heavy for a mere Beta steward

e like a pathetic creature. They were

s. She cleared her throat. "The cerem

only for me. "You did the right thing, child. No

, she acknowle

s steward. "Mr. Reynolds, please arrange for my rooms. As the future mistres

ut it held the unyiel

is teeth. "... Thi

, drafty corridors. I could feel

wing, far from the heart of the castle.

'" he said, the title

ing the space. "Excellent. I am

mming the do

step was done. I had refused to lower my head bef

sweep over the unfamiliar room. This castle was not my home. Every person