ONA

ike she's been coached to sit that way. Nikolai is across the room, leaning against the wall wit

ss to

my eyes meeting hers. She looks away, a

hand from mine, and tries to hide it ju

me. The smell of fresh

eeve, slowly, giving her every chance

y at the sight I'm met with. The material of the gown she's wearing is

bserves quietl

ing Warren's bones wasn't just enough for

e," Kae

g damn stupid exercise again? Inhale. Exhale... How can

hazel eyes, completely still, waiting to be told what to do

s much as I can to keep my voice as cal

fingers moving. She's signing. Thankfully, as an Alpha, I

permitted

ll fucking yeah, t

sor

, slower. Patient

talk. To sign, eithe

pack, her own home, and someone told her she w

back and finish W

We're in his pack, and ending him would mean war with other

blinks. "And from this moment, when you're speaking to me, you talk fr

. Her long lashes beat together, but she nods anyway, her face

el without a spare set, old habit, and pull out a loose-fitting top

ut. "It'll be more

iately, waving it off a

ank you. I do

ged her? There's going to be

t the place where the

comfortab

ly comes almos

, with his usual tone of finalit

kn

eone yells at her, and I'm not going to remind her of the monsters she grew up with if I mandate anything o

set it on the bed

opens quietly in

the maids while you were with Warren. She wou

lowly thro

that woman, Nova. I'm certain they've bo

come after you," I add, turning

h... The Moon Goddess help me if I leave this

ys she has

n't even exaggerating. "Isn't that suspici

Those are two different stories that don't ad

he door. A pause... and then he

ack that your new bride is mute... you know what they

two fucks what

e on h

sn't come out of her mouth, and even if it never does, that's nobody's business but

use. Longe

bout any of the others,"

admit it. Six brides, six different women I tried to keep at a distance because distance felt like mercy. If they didn't get

ing, but it's different from her. And I want to protect her. Every instinct in me screams to protect her, and what's worse is I do. Her faint scent keeps pu

know

e need to put myself between

y gently, extend

then, without being asked, she picks up the folded top from th

eps," Kae

, feeling s