len

my A

's acceptance was so swift, so devoid of the usual emotion that clung to her

s good. This was what I wanted. Re

was standing by the window of my office, l

e's not the type to give up. This feels more like the quiet before a

pack for years, a sweet but ultimately inconvenient fact of my life. I had to see this t

that scent years ago, a fleeting fragrance near the borderlands that my wolf had instantly clai

a confusing distraction. My wolf ignored it, but the human part of me had alw

t the wall. Ronan, my Beta and my best frie

elen?" he snarled, h

I replied, standing to face

?" Ronan took a step forward, his massive frame radiating mena

e and needs feeding. Could you come with me to the market tomorrow? We need to buy some things to

ear. My chosen

dropped into the low, rumbling timbre of command

a silent snarl of defiance. He was fighting it, his Beta strength warring against my Alpha authority, but

ng my back on him. I walked out of the office, l

. I heard their muffled voices through the door. "Don't b

understood the pull I felt for Seraphina. It was a bond forged

, held in the main hall. I made my entrance with Seraphina on my arm, holding the borrowed

y eyes scanned the crowd, looking for one person. I found her stan

ed optimism was gone, replaced by a calm,

to her. This had to be pu

ould hear. "I'd like you to meet Seraphina, my chosen L

ts breath. All eyes were on the

ression unreadable. Then, she lowered herself into a graceful, f

, without a single tremor. "It

I know this must be difficult for you." Her tone was sweet, but her eyes held a glint of triumph. "I

he knife. A public demand for her to

eting second. There was nothing there. No pain, n

aid. "I would be h

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