yn'

embling with fury as I stepped closer. "How

rogance. "Name's Flora," she said, her tone dripping with disdain. "And that so-ca

"He's royalty! You can't treat him

bothersome gnat. "Royalty?" she scoffed. "He's more of a

rius's fragile life was tethered to mine until I be

will show him respect," I said sharply. "Now get fresh ingredient

plate like it was a delicacy. "You don't get to gi

t in the sudden shuffle,

as

ed into glittering shards. The soun

e. "You're done," she hissed gleefully. "Not only did you r

I didn't mean to... i

ng in feigned horror. "It belonged to his mother! You'l

punishment would that bring? I couldn't afford t

through the tension l

going

elchair, shadows darkening his expression. H

nted straight at me. "Your wife tried to sabotage your breakfast. When I trie

ried, my voice crac

eak the plate?" Flora dema

rds caught in my throat like thor

le, his face carved from stone. The

d at last, his vo

unsure if

"You heard him, Princ

ou get ou

ce turned

. "What? But, Your

hing. I heard your insults, your lies

d up in

ening... and h

t, something I hadn't felt in a lo

e wanted to argue, but his eyes left no room. She dip

ated, and this

ng. "You should've done more," I said bitterly. "S

a tired breath. "And replac

ked. "

d asking. "I'm sorry..

His tone had softened, like velv

th them. They weren't hired to serve me. They were sent here to w

the Alpha family, his own blood. I clenched my

yzed by emotion. If the palace would

my way into the surrounding mountains. I had no wolf instinc

nd all I had were a fe

I kep

nopy thickening above, I press

eathy.

ce, uncertain

out this? What i

unmis

or

a dense thicket,

ed her, eage

ven't seen you in da

.." she

nds, sloppy, urge

ifle the gasp. My face f

oul

t

e'd spin another lie.

? This w

as lev

ight just make things