ne Co

y a sharp knocking. Not on my bedroom

peered out. A lavish carriage bearing the W

ized instantly: Thomas Hayes, the Wallace Manor s

r" had already hea

o my veins, a dull weight in my limbs. Enough to move. Enough to walk. Not enough to fight if I had to. My

l for a moment, listening. Shallow breathing, still alive. The

the door. I didn't hide. I walked do

quickly shifted to one of condescending authority. "Mi

an order, as if I were still the

zy contempt. "Home? Which home is that? The one that s

watch your words. The Alpha is very angry.

the two servants behind him t

them reached for

ith a sharp, clean motion, I s

mpact echoed in th

is cheek, his eyes wide with disbe

opped dead in their

dropping to a dangerous low. "Strik

thed. My rank is higher than yours. Who gave a mere ste

ficial, un-rejected status. Legally, I was still the fu

shame and anger, but he cou

ted. "However, your timing is perfect. I

urrendering. A flicker of hi

back like this. You will take me to the finest

Alpha's orders were to br

m off. "To disgrace the Wallace name and the Prince's h

nt of internal struggle, he bowed

ey. Today's expenses will be on your account. Co

is hands clenching into fists at his sides. He was trembling

nate carriage, treating him as nothing m

second-floor window of the abandoned manor. The

thought. I hope we don't meet again