PTE

'S

through me. The bond snapped. When he finally pulled back, blood on his lips and pure posse

ped, tears slipped down my

sn't care what you want, litt

p and all I could see was the jealous, hateful glare of women. I saw Sel

shaking. The marking bite burned under my skin. Then the smell of Jasmine and old wine hit the air

hed the floor. "What a blessing. My stepdaughter is yours. Of course, a girl

"What are you doi

her. He kept his eyes locked on

voice finally coming back. "I'm

le. "The South Pack needs timber, five hundred head of cattle, and a mont

since I was six. She wasn't giving me aw

m his desk. He signed a paper with

relic and walked out of the room without

And I was alone w

falling down my cheek. "The 'Mate

chin, and forced me to look up at him. "Your family would have sold you to t

ed. My chest tightened. I wasn't a

n out from his iron gr

pered. "But you're just another man deciding my

He released the grip. And that alone made me stumble back until my b

he rumbled, "He threw away a treasure he was too blind

You bit me without asking. You bought me without sayi

expression softened for a moment. But it vanished again. "I am a Ly

arks were so intense That I had to bite my

earn what it means t

mark. And you will forget that the boy who bro

" I whispered, my voice trembling despite my bravado. "

s lips. "We have an eternity t

he grip. Then

oked at their king. "Take the Queen to the Royal Chambers," Draken commanded. "She is not to leave those rooms. If a single hair on her

I walked past the guards myself. "I'll walk.

outh pack. I was the King's captive. And the worst part? Ash was starting to crave the monster that had taken everything

shadow moved. It was tall. I squinted, trying to make out a face, but all I saw

id. I stumbled forward, my skin prickli