pte

*

den'

a personal matter; it's a decision that carries weight for everyone under my leadership. The

me. It didn't matter who she was-a rogue, a spy, an assassin. The need to shield her was undeniable. But w

the hardest decision I'd ever face. I haven't even met her, and already, the idea

't love him, and he's not her mate. Yet, for the power it would grant her, she's discarded her

to kill for her, I realize just how intense this bond t

a of cooking, fresh spring air cooling my skin, and the sound of my parents'

p her find her footing. As she steadies herse

m his filthy grasp, he anticipates my move, sidestepping swiftly. Yet

its prey. I silently implore the goddess for h

cle in my body coils, ready to unleash. This confrontation isn't just about re

ell. I brace myself, prepared to

ds, glancing back at my mate

onds, I tackle him, sending us rolling through dirt and leaves unde

night, a painful sound that

him forcing himself on my mate still burns in my mind. My grip ti

im quickly would be too kind. He needs

that glances off my head.

," I

e and tries to crawl away. I

s to get up, I press

g crack fi

is music

torn skin and bite marks bleeding heav

sm

just t

over his face. I hope he feels even a fraction o

, man

spit the blood in my mouth-his blood-right onto his face. He roars in

ugh bark, over and over, until leaves shake loose and fall a

ot yet. I'm not

aking my way past his knees when the sound of heavy b

air-I breathe in deeply, savoring i

e to turn around and mind

into the clear

his rank and the wisdom of his years. A lot of years. He's lived long enough f

eers. "Get awa

oesn't matter to me. Neithe

forward, raising a hand in warning. "

ponse. He grabs his bleedi

ern evident in my v

ern evident in my v

ign coming out of my mouth. My voice is rough, always filled w

from my hands and face. The warmth of embarrassment creeps up my ears. Since when do

ushing dirt off her dress with shaky hands. She clears h

and strong-gentle yet firm. Something about the way she s

nce, like she refuses to be small. Her brown skin glows under the moonlight, and her long black hair i

ok broken. Instead, she stands tall,

h me again. If she's in my arms, nothing can ha

r without thinking. My voice is softer now, careful, as if sp

making them shimmer like molten honey. There's somethin

oat again, and the blush that dusts her che

I grin like an idiot-like a teenage w

o breathe her in again. "Yes?" I prompt, tiltin

rs, her fingers fidgeting

she is. She's adorable. And mine.

n't beli

What a coincidence. I shake my head slightly

diculous thought and focus on

t a second before ans

savoring the name. It's beautif

s of my mind. A faint memory. A rea

our su

t to share it. Her fingers tighten around the

ree

ond before reality slams int

donna

named Belladonna.

be betrothed

ble up from my chest. The Moon Godde

e universe chose for me-she's already promised t

raged. But all I feel is this dull,

g I can do abo

t the hell out of the son of th

maybe it's

for what? For power? For personal gain? She didn't

ard, my jaw

to reje