le

face. I groaned and rolled over, only to have the

ing princess. I

ood at my bedside, dark hair nea

a'am," I mumbled

"My name is

y cheeks. I shoul

time i

lpha to think you're p

ght. "Why didn't yo

dressed. Lunch is waiting." She paused at the door, lowering her voi

e. She knew. She kne

es anything to delay. When I finally emerged, a pale blue gown waited on

a tangl

gers gently teased out every knot. My chest tighten

elp wit

ice fr

in the doorway, arms crossed, a

. When you didn't show all morning, I hoped you'd va

se thu

a killer!" I

le I begged him to stop." His voice cracked just barely before hardening again. "And

efusing to believe

ve, his hand clamped my shoulder, pushing

I won't hurt you... not yet. But one day, when the time is right, I will." His breath brushed my ear.

ts echoing across the ro

ed. My heart

er. If I didn't, St

N YEAR

at threat. Fifteen yea

rs had faded. I had trained harder than an

d no

as nothing. No m

was com

his presence steady. "Your father was stubborn," he

I'd heard this sto

etly. "I think I'

turning sh

w. I want to s

he

uman r

darkened. "Ab

ined, I c

. "You have no wolf. You'd be defenseless. If you want freedom, prove

the air from my lu

"You leav

en's world. His hunting ground. And I wa

er. No

hen was