en's

. It only dragged a heavy, s

d over her notes, shielding her expressions from the world. The soft, unconscious curve of her lips when she was deeply concentrating on a difficult problem. The way she nervously chewed the v

e fact that I

a

intoxicating. It had been even more deadly during our time in the cramped, quiet rows of the library, sitting directly across from her, close enoug

asp

to Lila. Four long months of absolute, chilling silence-his way of punishing me for turning my back on the sacred concept of a fated mate just t

he corridors of my mind like a g

Fo

nst the pillows,

fated mate, and you are throwing away our soul for a crown of ash. Do you smell her? Rain-soaked earth and wild honey. It drives me complete

that witch Lila.

odies, their mortality. I need a strong Luna to stand by my side, not some defenseless human weakling. Yes, Lila is annoying as hell, and

m as her for more than five minutes. You physically flinch every time she touches your arm. You held your breath the

s like cheap artificial pe

human sm

on'

everything good left i

drop it,

en. You're marching us st

thing we can ac

my bedroom door shattered the silence of my thought

the hallway. It was one of the younger omegas, sounding thoroughly

under your father's thumb. So what's your grand plan? Are you going to avoid her unt

o me for once in y

it much better when you wer

my mind. Gosh, he was such an insufferable

ed my aching body to move, and went st

ence waiting to be carried out. His office was always large, imposing, and lined from

inside w

his office was every single wall hel

reen eyes, her sharp, elegant face structure. But everything else came from my father-his broad, brutal sho

cruel world, and my father had never

ultimate heir, his living tool. And here I was summoned once again, fo

You're here."

aised his gaze. His voice was cold, flat, and entirely distant. "What is this disturbing ru

lank, giving nothing away. "It was ran

liberate grace. "Your life belongs to this pack. There is no room for pathetic distractions. Your official public introduction of Lila as your future Luna is fast approaching, so

heavy oak desk, stopping far too

ast. And make proper time for Lila. She is going to be your Luna." He paused, n

ue easily, practiced and col

aze like a sharp blade pressed directly against my throat. "If he ever dares to discover your true mate, you are ordered to reject her

, Fat

ory immediately. Our scouts reported rogues attacking our people near the outer tree line. Make sure you annihilate

toward the heavy d

ael

my hand hovering ov

fted. It was no longer just c

ring any harm to my plans, you will put her life directly in mortal danger." A terrifying paus

. I didn't dare trust

, Fat

doors clicked shut behind me, echoing loudly in the quiet hallway, Caspian's voice rushed

will," Caspian whispered, panic bleedi

a knot tightening in my throat. "An

ous animal growl before abruptly fading away, disap