LA

murdered by a water demon, but my fury refuses to

find myself in a plain blue robe adorned with a silver border. The tent lacks the grandeur of the wedding ceremony-simple, unadorned, with dim lanterns casting a soft glo

rarity, sparking confusion within our pack. How would an alliance with a distant kingdom benefit us? Our pack has never been weak. Despite the skepticism, Beta families lined u

pect of dealing with a cruel man. Then, our Alpha vanished for a co

ry-a history punc

onto me. The maids, bowing promptly, exit without a word. Are they afraid of h

ards me with an expression suggesting annoya

tent flaps as abruptly as he arrived. The graceful ex

He's not merely indifferent; he's cunning. That bizarre appearance was a calculated move, intended to divert and deceive. Our

ed image to fester in our mind

King wishes to form an alliance with? I sense there's more to it than

cle during the ceremony-all pieces of a concealed puzzle. I'm just a tool in his political maneuvering. The se

the stunt. Magnus was supposed to be...ugly. After months of believing that, now I'm co

escapes

ministers who approached with gifts. Then came the pack members bidding their farewells. Thei

ugh the act. Alone in the tent, I grapple with this revelation. Magnus

he tent, arranging things, and just m

To my surprise, it's Alec standing there. Relief washes over me, and I quickly ask my maid

holding my breath. He steps closer, bringing an

mate

t mean the bond was severed? I distinctly remember feeling it-the wrenchi

n't slept in days. I remain silent, allowing him to speak. He clears his throat,

y doubts. "Alec... I'm fin

u almost died. If I wasn't here,

Married and widowed in the blink

ng target. "Don't joke, El. I don't like him. I neve

he releases it abruptly, as if th

s about him don't matter. And I know he doesn't want to harm me. H

difficult confession. What was he expecting to hear?

ply instantly, then shake my hea

e accepted

when we were in Mistral Hollow? Didn't that mean he

outh. "I can't fight this. You didn't fight it. You g

y that sends a shiver down my spine. The overwhelming urge to reach f

oice strains, "I tried for a day. I tried for weeks. Being away from you mig

that he's as alone here as I am? He left his family behind too. But I attem

e doesn't want your

I'm leaning towards him. My hand has reached to touch his cheek. "I nee

before responding. "I don't know, El. Why should that ma

t it. Because people saw us. And they're probably talking about us r

a duty, El. But I won't let anything harm you. You're important. And I can't stop

kiss me and I revel in the familiar, nice feeling of

dden, pushing him away. "We

t me to," he

not just about us. Magnus won't tolerate any threat to his control, especially when it comes to his wife." I whisper, gritting m

but his eyes don't show

ly step back, distancing myself from Alec. Magnus enters, his presence commanding att

voice a low growl. His golden eyes narrow, fixed on Ale

f defiance in his eyes. "My place is to protect her. To

lec but his lips curve into a sinister smile. "Safety? I think you've overstepped your boundaries, beta. She i

l at him. "You're a guard. You should know you

through it. The mate bond doesn't deceive. He knows I'm d

retreat. His voice is suddenly calm. Too calm. "It's a good thing no

rn cold at

him. Pleas

ing smile. "And why should I listen to anything you say, sw

make sure he st

y. "Oh, I'll take care of that. Now, will you do me t

aste of salt on my lips. Only a m

"You don't want t

mile, effortlessly slipping my arm through his. A flicker of surprise crosses