ce was p

was moving, no one was saying a word.

here. Tall. Broad shoulders. He wore al

breath catch. He was handsome in

rp

cheek

es held me frozen. They were golden. They glowed sli

readable. Behind him, I could see the crowd. Everyone

itten acros

d. "Alpha Kael ," my stepmother's voice came out shaky

was Alpha King,

in the entire district.

uddenly rushed forward, tears streaming down her fa

she said, her v

l... My s

iancé. When he refused her, she attacked

And this time to the Alpha King himself

like my f

ard too, his head b

ue, Your

me. I pushed her awa

orn. She did it to make i

oice was so quiet I was

turned toward me. Those g

true?"

red a

ing for my side

ually asking me

o,

in, louder

t's not true." "She's

a liar! She's alwa

his voice came out calmly yet the

ow

own until he was at my level, his golden eyes boring into

I trust him? Would he believe me when no one

, he might listen. "I was upstairs," I started, my voice shaking

I don't know why I needed to say that part

ten slightly but h

into the room,

lling again but

d him to leave, that he

said I should be grateful

mself on me." My voice broke and I

e kissed me even t

ouch

ushed him away a

r

abbed my dress. Tha

ste what happened but-" "She'

don't listen to her. Sh

knows abo

id sil

ut as a growl, low and dangerous. He sto

ted but lifted his head. There, clear as day, was the m

at it for a long moment

I slide my hand into his. There is a spark of electr

ss, the bruises forming on my ar

lden eyes flashed with something. Somethi

as he turned ba

ulted. Anyone with

. Her dress is torn from being grab

being held down." "But Your Majesty-" Vivian sa

old. "I have seen enough to know th

rly giving out again. He believed me. The Alpha King

's eyes flashed with gold light.

ow

one step back. He looked at me again

e wit

eezing my ha

y here." I stared at hi

ea

h h

"I..." I looked b

an and

home I knew. "I'll be fine here," I whisper

u ca

st tell me how you've been treated?

uietly. "I'll be fine." He studied me fo

ething like this happens again," he said slowly, each word deliber

ll r

ful." Vivian's face went

oked at each pers

all un

ilence. Then everyone nodded, their head

is eyes I couldn't read

t con

trat

I can'

know if anything happens to her. And you do not want m

darkness. He left but his a

essed to my chest and unrestrain

ad believed me. H

ooked at Vivian's face, at the hatred burnin

g wouldn't