ra'

oke spiraled from the cigarette in his fingers, curling around his face like it belonge

voice low, edged with fr

whispered, his head bowed so lo

s the marble like a ghost's. The dress they gave me hung off my frame, swall

ing in my throat. "Alph

n shimmered like starlight, her black hair cascading down her back like

"She's the mate?" Her tone was sweet, but ever

chief. "Poor thing." Kael didn't even look at me. "Sapphire, sh

barely. "You think someone creat

illed with ice. "No one this weak could survive a da

n dressed as perfume. "You don't have to lie," she whispered, like

now why I'm here." Her eyes darkened, sympathy va

Moon Goddess gave me? A trembling omeg

let my soul do the same. "I never asked to be your mate,

f disrespect here." My heart racing in my chest like a war drum. "Then te

dirtied her. "If she's lying, Kael, you'll know soon enoug

I'll listen." "I won't survive," I thought. B

a voice

s, his brows furrowed like the weight of the world lived between them. "The Rogue King," he sa

sharper. "That traitor," he muttered. "

I could stop them. Kael's eyes found me again. There was fir

ple believe the Rogue King, they'll t

wicked smile. "You want

rol the story. Say you've found yo

s voice held disgust. "The one

You don't have to mark her. Just let the world think you're bond

o this... it could work. The other packs trust in fate. A true mate woul

landed on me, they widened. His jaw locked, and some

ked, his voice barely abo

he bruises or the dirt caked beneath my f

ching me like I was an experime

ou treat your mate like this and w

ne." I flinched. Silas crouched beside me. His eyes...brow

he gasped, "it's worse. The Rogue King isn't just talking. He's

ell from his fingers, burning out beneath his

re was no anger. No disgust. Just silen

repare the pack," he ordered Sila

His next words were quiet. M

h opened, but s

d and came to help me up. As he leaned close, he whispered, "Y

flickered inside me. But it was short-lived. Kael wa