belle

llway muffled my uneven steps, swallowing the dull

wore a simple black dress, and I had dusted my skin with a bitter herbal spray d

or, an examiner from the Lycaeum was waiting to verify my runes and

ng breath, forcing my

ors of suite 5, a burst of familiar

is. "Look at you. Alpha of one of the most powerful packs in the region, unmatched in wealth and combat. You could have c

The blood drained from my face, rushing

nter-pack gala, or a formal press banquet, you have to go alone. Any event that requires a proper Luna beside you, she

ld irony san

politics, Clarabelle. Stay home where it's

ong years. I had believed he was shielding my pr

ing me because I was an embarrassme

low sigh-a tone drenched in weary obligatio

loudly. "You should have written her a fat settlement check five years ago instead of tying your entire life to a stone around your neck. You could

can she actua

e, theatrical and dr

ringing you a cup of tea looks like a disaster waiting to happen! Gas

doorway, the scene inside st

left foot sideways across the parquet floor in an exaggerated, grotesque parody of a limp. He pitched his voice into

rupted around the

ith pure delight until she collapsed softly against Gasper's broad sh

Ga

had thrown my body onto a silver wire, sat

erely swirled the amber liquid in his tumbler, a faint, resigned smirk playing at the corner of h

f blood hammered

breath seized in my throat. My good leg gave a sharp, involuntar

my ba

y momentum pitched me forward. My shoulder

AN

gainst the interior wall with a violent thud

instant

laughter choked in everyone's throats. Becky's eyes went wide as she scrambled uprigh

doorframe to keep from hitting the fl

trembling face. My dark coat parted sligh

or a split second, an expression of sheer disbelief and

his raised foot, his red

his mocking grin petrified i