ene

, yes, but it was digital. It could be dismissed as fabricated. I needed something mo

back inside

elderly and used it as a pretext. "One of the servants at the old Vance hunting lodge is on my list for a wellness check,

a second thought. I was just th

manor by a stoic guard who left me at the door. Inside, I w

lara," I said, my voice

. "But... the mistress and master are out with the young

eyes already scanning the opulent foyer. "

r," I told Maria, guiding her toward the main living area. "And I noticed you favoring your lef

epted it, I steered the conversation. "This is a beau

imself comes twice a week to teach young Lord Leo combat forms. And Luna Eleanor... she brings Lady Lyra the most b

hearing it spoken aloud made the betrayal feel raw and fresh.

the washroo

rine to them. His scent was everywhere, mingled with hers-a cloying mix of rose and amb

as on her waist, hers on his chest. They were smiling, looking for all the world like a true Alpha and

th. I stumbled back, my hand finding the doorframe for support just as the so

a hissed from the hallway,

hiding place-a large, dark pantry off the kitchen,

ar their voices, loud and clear, from the adjoining kitc

p. "Sick of pretending. I want you to Mark me. I want you to s

antry grew thin,

ce, Lyra. The treaty is almost signed. I need the stability of the fated

er the signing, I will do it. I will reject her in front of everyone. Then, you a

words that sto

void of any emotion. "Selene... she was just a joke the Moon G

l. A

treamed down my face in the sile

breath, I slipped out of the pantry. Maria shot me a terrified look, and I

had stepped out onto the terrace, her communicator held to her ear. S

oded cloak. She didn't recognize me, but I saw the flicker of su

calculating stare followed me unt

ling certainty, that m

-