LA

ional whistle of a flute. I've seen over half a dozen human bards and f

rd of Mistral Hollow's packhouse. Over the last few days, I've seen my father glued to Alpha Zander's side. He has been

he ceremony. He's at war with the kingdom of Wyvern, and has been for several weeks now. The disappointment o

in the gathering. Not once have I heard anyone speak about his comfort, his wishes,

hatred she bears me, I'm surprised at how wonderful her choice is-a color that matches my eyes. Perhaps it is meant

my neck, embedded with a rare emerald and beaded with pearls. She fastens golden bracelets around my wri

ficent, El," he'd say before kissing me like there's no tom

someone else's. This is m

feet-healthy and perfectly fine. She's draped in a silver robe, her mahogany hair weighing down her shoulders in elaborate curls. She reac

illy at me. "And you, my Alina, can find someone

te enamored by me. I prefer it

at I'm seeing. It barely takes me a few seconds to register what has conspired

k. I clutch my neck, fury clawing at my insides. "I tended to you. I stayed by your

ega maid withdraws

"It's crazy what a lowly enchantress can do for a few obsidian dimes," she reveal

led gaze. Celeste takes a protective stance, holding out her arm in f

bitter. "What do you mean? You were alright wit

"You knew I had a mate! You

tell her or should I?" she whispers wic

a cool gaze. She begins, "Alec will be by your side. In Caelondor, yes. He will be on your trail wh

I shout. "I won't tolerate this. When I tell the Alpha the truth, he'

He procured the witch," she tells me, and I f

_

trembling hand as he guides me to the other side. I can't meet his eyes, afraid that I'll find a hint of guil

at I've known all my life, while the rest are dignitaries, ministers, diplomats, representatives of other independent territories and the bards and dry

the pity and sympathy in their gazes.

nd looking straight ahead-presumably at nothing. I can't rea

eart breaks all over again. I stumble on my path and I'm saved from the disgrace of falling face forw

e of the place we're at and the situation we're in. I realize in that moment that his rejection

Magnus' monstrous figure now comes to my notice. I halt for a moment, my throat dryi

ns in his ear and ends at the base of his neck. It likely continues down his torso, but I don't know because that's where his robe covers his skin. The un

ertainty in his voice. Of course, he knows what I'm

uld have a hand on his left arm. His right foot is humungous

iting bac

e and I see his eyes-they're golden an

aps, if I was unaware of his unforgivable sins. He has committed heinous deeds. And n

a f

k to me. It's unnerving and I can't explain it. But his ey

s his Beta, as is mandatory for all Alpha weddings. When I look at the Beta werewo

bled,' Lila ec

e vows, but I hear nothing. I can only look at Magnus's eyes. From the way he's

r myself whisper, and his scal

ys, "Elara Wildewood of Lunar Crest Pack and Magnus Blackwell of Thunderclaw

ers, but it's

wildly. Hastily, I take a step forward to cover the distance, my ha

and his voice is honey. It

k, and gasp when the skin there begins to bubble. A

s watch, repulsed as the scene unfolds. Magnus' monstrous body transforms. The Beta has no re

e and I watch his

?" he asks me, panic

say, my voice strangely composed. I hold my b

ts out a col

s. His dark hair cascades in curls to his shoulders. His legs are the same si

ly beautiful. And

attention to me. He easily lifts my hand and presses a lingering kiss o