LK

come back to the woods to pack some wood for her

ular route for her to help him with his work. But this time, her legs had c

e her freeze in place. She turned toward him, and he was already facing he

are you," she said quickly, he

ion in his gaze. She glanced behind her, wondering if someone else was there, someone he

hest. He seemed lost, as if he were trying to piece something together

ed softly, snapping h

ed, but the air around them felt charged. He was still staring at he

a hadn't- she was his mate. He couldn't deny the connecti

d had been there, but he hadn't seen her face clearly at the

couldn't possibly know. He wasn't sure whether she wa

uring the accident. Maybe it was only him who could feel it- th

t are you doing here?" he asked, his voice more controlle

nswering. "I'm helping my dad. He sells

for me to leave the mansion before you did?" He raised an eyebrow, a hint of suspicion c

from his. She nodded, but her gaze was uneasy, as

Everything about this moment felt too fami

ut calm. "Who told you to leave the palace?"

she gulped nervously, her throat dry. "You told me to leave," she said, her voice soft

told you to leave my room, not the m

words tumbling out in a flurry. "I only came

work for your father, Valkira. You work for me

dience, hoping her parents wouldn't worry or think she'd

ghts. Zeroth's mind was a whirlwind. He had been hoping... praying that he wouldn't have

is chest tighten wit

r accept this. Valkira wasn't the future heir to a power

ra. His mate. Ye

s father, the disappointment that wo

ng behind him, immediately halted as well. H

nd it struck him in a way he

fluttered at

e was feeling in this moment? Or had she no

never accept her. He would force him to reject her, no matter what. Lady Ygraine was everything an Alpha

oice louder than he intended. "Why a

appropriate this way, my prince," she said hesita

is hands on his waist. "Come here

she walked to his side. He nodded at h

turned to glance at him- and his eyes couldn't help but trail down h

e should have. He was an Alpha. She was a

his gaze was still lock

even try t

in a rush: Zeroth was

e quickly shut her eyes in embar

rm her suspicions, his v

aid, "you got a