ted by his mother's death in childbirth, he brought in a surroga
ng a secret bonding ceremon
he saw when he held me. He'd lie about rogue
d. He ran right past me as I bled on the floo
r tiny scrape, nearly killing himself in the process, w
protect me, that my love for him was
il hall and submitted my application to perform the Ritual of Severanc
pte
ra
very spot, Alpha Kaelen had first held me, his inner wolf
veloped me. The Moon Goddess had declared us mates, a bond meant to be the most
k decades. His mother, the former Luna, had died giving birth to him. That tragedy w
it, believing his fear was a twisted form of love. I even accepted his decision to bring in a sur
unnervingly similar to my own. A tool, he had called
olf." I even forgave him when a pack of Rogues ambushed me near the border, their silver claws tearing into
way, listening. The balcony doors were slightly ajar. Kaele
aelen's deep voice rumbled. "Secret
d. He was talkin
ked, his tone cautious. "A bonding ceremo
"I can't get her out of my head. Her scent... her compliance. When I'm in meetings, when I
nausea was
e finds out, if she leaves... your power as Alph
ing confidence. "She loves me. And this i
lashed back to his vow, whispered against my skin under a full mo
ound, but in the preternatural quiet o
pproached. Kaelen slid the glass door open, his eyes wide
ot back from the Healer's. She said the
excuse. Liam stepped forward smoothl
re planning a 'welcome back' party for
or my replacement, and they were telling me it was a pa
ck celebration photos for "ideas," his Mind-Link buzzed. I felt the intrusi
is mind, but I caught the echo. "The moon is rising. M
d to me, his eyes avoiding mine. "There's an ur
standing th
hives, my steps steady. I found the Head
I said, my voice as cold and clear as ice.