lk

d ended-or

rough the frosted windows, I realized life

servants' quarters. The moment my body hit

hday wa

te wa

... he had

t a

urriedly stood and pulled on my plain gray unifo

whispered to myself,

r greeted me as I stepped out, a stark remi

ce resigned myself to the monotony-scrubbing floors, laundering clothes, and ensuring ev

as no d

sloshing with each step. The mansion was a maze of polished wood and mar

refused to sta

the Luna Dowager's icy dismissal, and... the kisses I had never th

te. Alph

a fresh wound tha

he head maid stood with arms crossed, her eyes narrowing

, grabbing the brush wit

reserved for the most trusted servants. Cleaning his quarters al

th traces of his cologne, a mix of sandalwood and amber. It s

masculine. A stack of books rested on t

father, the former Alpha. Their smiles were rare but genuine, a

ves, climbing a stool to dust, t

nding there, his towering frame filli

y calm curiosity, as if last night's madnes

ckly setting down the dus

s no recognition in it. It was as if I were a

?" I asked, keepin

s presence both commanding and unner

my work, though my heart race

elpful last night," he said, hi

tened. Did he

st doing my duty." The lie tasted

that once held all the warmth in my world. "Still, I owe you

ould have. The man I had fought so hard to save

ha," I murmured

stool wobbled beneath me. My he

inevitable crash-but before I hit

agnor holding me, his

he said softly, his voice cl

stolen by the sudden proximi

, everything

me, his warmth seeping through

f his heart against mine. His scent, a mix of sandalwood and a

" he murmured, his voice low and tin

m in his gray eyes. The way he gazed at me now-inte

ough my voice betrayed me,

idn't reach his eyes. "Fine, huh?" His grip

, steadying me as he guided me off

have step

put distance

d to move, and nei

lips before I could stop it, a frag

oss his face-recognitio

d of hair from my face. The touch was so gentle,

," he said, his voice bar

eed to. Back when he was going ma

"I should go," I said, stepp

ght my wrist, his grip firm but not unk

t y