Abandoned by All, Claimed by the Ruthless Alpha

ia

dress was ma

es. The satin bodice clamped around me like a closing fist,

," I said. "Cou

und mine in the mirror, her mouth curved into something between pity and mockery. "Marrying Alpha Colton is more luck than you deser

ts, gave a low laugh. "Right. Did you

reflection an

s a person at all. Just an empty shell with a name attached. And Jax, the man I'd believed would stand besid

or was pale as bone.

elf. At least yo

hair. White gauze fell over my fa

only remember the doors swinging open and

the cloying sweetness of lilies, seeped through my veil until my temples throbbed. Every guest turned a

aughter down the aisle. Only I knew how deep his fingers dug in. Through the

. Didn't scream. Didn't do anyt

ld. And no matter how dark the bruises are tonight, by morning t

Doesn't bruise. Does

world, I am the on

me like the road to a gallows. My gaze drifted throug

stop

row of the family sect

rested against each other in the shadow between their seats, and Paige's fingertips lingered at

So natural that not a sin

this obvious. And I was the only

-the Hound of War-sent Duskwoo

er he meant: Paige. And from that moment, the entire pack

e blood on his hands that would never wash clean. But that was exactly why his pack gr

be worthless. Too worthless to have a name worth rememb

even a worthless girl could b

he bride walking down the ai

the study, scheming a way out of this disaster.

should have s

p until Jax stepped to Paige's side an

ther's name-in that calm, level voice peo

oice. Grandma is the only person in this world who ever tru

y bouquet. I could still taste the copper from

umb was smooth. Whole. The wound had sealed itself wit

ught, clinging to th

There was one thing-one single thing-that no one else i

the carpe

eleased my arm and stepped back, and though the marks he left burned like fi

boots, polished to a mirror shine, standing motionless in

ine, until the organ music and the breathing of

g, rising, giving my hand, listening to

tions came. Maybe it was my ow

the holy book, smiled

ow kiss yo

was stiff as I surfaced from the fog, inch by inch

e voice f

r alone, grazing past the veil, mo

ot Paige.

stopped

organ's last note still hung beneath the vaulted ceil

e gallows floor had just d

bouquet, around the dagger

at this madman

close my eyes and let so