her voice low. "I know this is dang

art skipping a beat. "What

looked Freya in the eyes. "I know it'll be a total mess to accuse the future Alpha

. "What do you

likes me. You know that. And in our clan, even if he's only sevent

lowly, her sto

, "I'm going to comply. I'm go

ylah-no. That's dangerous. You

es. In our last life, it was my rejection that made him furious. That's

. Her hands were shaking. "But that

"I know. But

her lip an

. "He'll think he's winning. But once he does some

in her chest. "Lylah... t

ry to keep it quiet. They won't want the future Alpha's name

. "So... then

icked, clever smile. "

wned. "Wh

l. I'll say I'll stay silent if they let you

asped.

s wing, we can't change anything. We'll be stuck like last

nds trembling. "But what if they

e before. We remember. We know what's coming. And I don't care if they exile us. That's ev

time, searching her face. "Lyla

. "One hundr

. "I... I don't want

hispered. "We'll fig

e with him," Freya

. I'll just give him the illusion of winni

onto the bed, ev

softly, sitting beside her again. "You need to be out

r. "Are you really

without flinching

s calm but full of fire. "Frey

ked. "Lupa

s it every year. It's a huge celebration. Alphas and nobles from other clans

raighter. "So..

oice low. "That's when

Freya asked, fe

. He's more lustful than the adult men here, and during the festival.

reya's back. "Lylah...

l, in front of so many guests, the elders and the visiting nobles... t

but before she could say anything

both

quickly wiped the look o

n. A maid stepped in

o Lylah. "Miss Lylah, Prince Fenrir

tly. "Tell him I'

d left, closing th

"Don't go," she whispered. "Please, I don't

queezing her hand gently. "Fr

ut

ay? Just wait

Her heart was racing

softly, letting g

ess. Before leaving, she looked

And when I am, eve

ed in knots. A part of her wanted to run after her, stop h

***********

st the stone floor. The palace was quiet, but the silence felt he

alm, she to

r, she hesitated for a m

called from inside-sm

the door an

t by a few flickering candles. Prince Fenrir was sitting near a table, a bottle in one hand,

aid, trying to kee

at her a

It wasn't safe. He stood up, swaying just a little, but he kept his balanc

toward h

e. She didn't wa

reached out and

hadn't expected that. Her whole body tensed, and she took in a

r me?" she asked, he

answer r

y was close to hers, too close. She could feel the heat of his breath on her face

ark with something she didn't

this wasn't a

at