h Pri

rose as morning mist covered the estate's hedges. I put on a plain white cotton

f a frightened rabbit. Last night was only the beginning. Penelope Carlisle, a high-ranking pureblood female, was the true

econd-floor sitting r

nah, here to pay m

e sat on a high-backed velvet chair, a porcelain coffee pot and several territory financial reports spread on the table before her. In wer

nto a deep curtsy. I bowed my head low, deliberat

tal submission. Looking from beneath my lashes, I s

d by the lake last night

e. I answered softly, letting a

ern, Mother. I drank hot

m her porcelain cup. "Kaelyn made a scene last night, but you k

the selection out of spite. I immediately raised my head, m

long to me. Kaelyn is legitimate, and young master Daryl has

d it away quickly, acting the part of a

burden, where I go and whom I marry

y relaxed. To a woman like her, a weak illegitimate daughter was far

he set her cup down. "The Alpha King's selection is brutal, but you have a pretty face. If you behave,

y, clasping my han

all of Mother's

ver with a gold-rimmed

as paper. Do not embarrass the Shepp

ained cold as iron. In my last life, showing my intelligence had made Penelope and Kaelyn join fo

r knocked and hurrie

study again! She swears she will starve herself to

s knitted toget

ss fool! What

ed down at me sitting quietly with my scon

I will go

ry vanished from my face. Setting down the half-eaten scone, I walke

e thrown out at the first genetic scan. Hearing Alvan's angry roar echo from the end of th