ad

s gums flap as his fat cheeks shift into a smile, his grea

man, trying to convince me to tak

even work correctly—something that w

nding a breeder for the last few months. I just haven’t had t

Even thinking about my wife makes my heart tighten up and my eyes begin to water. I have t

o find a woman who’d be willing to carry my ch

h any of the women at court.

all w

heir daughters from time to time, but I’ve never wanted to put a loyal Alpha in a position where I’d be using their

ted mate, he’d know that she’d been with me, the Alpha King,

f her life by herself

uld wa

as found someone who won't

, like I am humoring him. It isn’t too hard for me. My reput

day, she came in and asked if I had any odd jobs she could do to pay

e, the way he shrugs his shoulders as he speaks. There has to be mor

. “Family debt

to be here of if she came of her own free will. Had she heard about the handsome, mysterious Alpha Kin

some prostitute who is going to mak

hat’s not necessary.

“How do you

you can send your physicians in to see. If I am lying, I would gladly pay you twice what I owe you, sir. I would never de

hat. “What does sh

he tells me. “She’s

. I don’t want

so. “She has long, blonde hair that is curly, and her eyes are wide and blue. Her skin is smooth

It shouldn’t surprise me. I wonder if the girl can hear us.

e of years but had to drop out for… some reason.” Again, he is holding back. He knows wh

ecause I know he wishes

come with him here, but I won’t be sendin

l keep her and possibly speak to her for a bit before I determine what to do. While it does sound like

is she?”

I think,”

twenty, my father was still alive

ke a very l

rs in front of my mind, and my mou

bec

y sanity, and since they already do that enough over my alleged vicio

out it's me seeing Rebecca. I’ve looked everywhe

n in my

Enjoy her. If she gets pregnant and gives you an heir in the next year, my debts

e a deep breath and look at his palm, not

send her back home with this man, possibly to her fami

*

s

up, and don’t

wearing a pair of gray slacks and a black jacket, the shirt beneath with a white collar that’s buttoned up to her chin

I didn’t hear much of the conversation between Alpha Ernest and Alpha Maddox. Once Alpha Ernest offered to sell me

ntings, and even some suits of armor. Everything is regal and expensive as it had been before, and

e it is worth more than m

ays as I follow along, carrying my bag in front of me and trying to keep up. “But apparently, the

ourney. I am still wearing a black skirt and white blouse I had put on for work that morning under my black cloak. My shoes are ol

hatever in heaven’s name the king has in mind for you, it’s none of my business, but perhaps he’s got it in his head t

I say, tryin

the head of the staff here at Castle Blackthorn. You will addr

er eyes are wild, and I imagine a maid would get a slap across the face for such an offens

ly will not sa

my head. “Beg yo

like a minute or two before she says, “I beg

“I beg your pardon Mrs. Wor

it out slowly. “Worthingshorethi

d, she spins around and starts walking once more, and I follow, feeling sorry fo

s Mrs. Worsthingstirshorethin

t want to

ing’s room. But don’t expect it to stay that way. Bec

contents, a silver bowl and a vase, clatter, and she

I say, praying t

g. If that happens again, you’re going to wish you never stepped foot in this castle! I don’t care who you a

with each shout. I know I must try to say her name

orthersthers

ce. “You’re incorrigible, aren’t you! It’s no

ut I say nothing, only watch t

re my boss at the diner would beat me for accidentally spilling a tray of food. I’m not clumsy, but I’m not

he doesn’t. She only walks a few more steps

ther door. This room is mostly empty. Just a little sitting ar

and then continues. “These are your rooms, fo

nd bump the table, slightly, with my hip. I think

m knocked off of my feet, falling to the floor as my bag goes

touch anything!”

rying to grasp what has just happened. Did she ju

leep in the bed the ki

on any

he screams, “Who do you think you are, coming in here and messing things up? You little tramp? She slaps me again, and this time, I manage to get my arm up to partiall

ng voice shout, “What o