som

st thing about being anyone's mate, let alone the alpha. The crowd is probably right; I am nothing but a substitute for a substitute. I hope I can

ves swoon. Now that I've laid eyes on him, I see what they mean. I am not sure whether I should be more frigh

ther is "in bed with the court." I'm not even sure what that means exactly, but I can only guess that he has extremely close ties with the Royal Elders, whi

o take my sister's place, I was overwhelmed. Frankly, the thought of being free

greements would be done through paperwork or perhaps a meeting among the elders, my uncle, and Dean.

had plenty of time to simply provide some affirmation to what the elders have already stated. But he did not. Instead, he remained standing, unmoving and unemotional. Is this how he's going to be as a mat

te. I get the sense that Dean's father does not like me. Not that he knows me at all, but that's not to say he does

only minutes-Dean turned suddenly to address the Royal Elders, who s

r striking a spellbinding figure for my eyes. I stared, waiting for him to tell all those present th

r decision and voiced their approval, then asked Dean to af

efore them. That is, until now. All eyes were again on the a

t," he sim

ught I might just hate Dean. But then I caught his scent, and my inner wolf was immediately attracte

would marrying me be such a disaster? I glance his way, but Dean's eyes are not fo

o completely lose his composure, all thoughts of improving his stature with the other pack suddenly less important than releasing his anger. I knew, t

I had been unsure about being the alpha's substitute mate, I now kn

arily mean I would find myself completely free of my uncle's influence, I was sure that I would be freer than I was currently. As his wife, I would b

as a "yes" eventually and allowed all to go on their way. Yes, that would have been preferred to the situation I found myself in now. I certainl

pause, the alpha had finally responded. He made it abundantly clear

t's decision and refuse to accept me as his mate. But how could he come to such a callous

een fine with having my sister serve as his substitute mate, at least based on what I

.