ey's

an old wolf, her silver hair braided with authority, her eyes missin

uickly replaced by the desperate gamble of a man with nothing left to lose. With a loud cry, he threw h

ed in her eyes as she rushed to his side,

with manufactured emotion. "I beg you, grant me jus

s fated mate-it was unthinkable. Keaton's body went rigid beside me; murderous rage rolled off him, so

to keep her, but her heart is mine! We met tonight hoping

iarch. Hailey... she has been so unhappy. She and Mr. Holma

y into a tragic romance, painting Keaton as a tyrant and me as his unwilli

moved from them to me. She remained s

. Instead, a slow smile of dawning realization spread across my face-a look of wonder

as clear and filled with a soft, gentle warmth. "Venerable

nger but with something like apology and heartfelt blessing. "I misunderstood

k, faces blank

oud enough for every guest to hear. "It's so clear to me now!

You could have

ere willing to use me as a distraction, to draw the Alpha's attention, even to bring the Matriarch here-all so tha

e, but it was all a test, wasn't it? A test of the Alpha's reaction, of the Matriarch's heart. T

s, so quick to conspire, were completely unable t

challenge an Alpha for his mate. But to stage a public drama to win the hand of the ma

expression now solemn and earnest. "Matriarch, their love is as strong as

ally request your intervention! I implore you to grant them your grace-to recognize and bless the unio

y melted into fierce, unrestrained pride-my girl, his eyes seemed to say, my brill

no longer pale. They were the