early half a wee

r than what an Alpha's should be

ited. Just as

ter all, renowned for her grace and virtue, always placing Alpha

n an inquiry about his conditi

t reach out t

n returned to the manor. The house was immacu

the door to welcome him home, to take his co

Alpha. Not with guilt, but wit

ough the bond. Silenc

hing into their bedroom. The sight of his

you. Why do you not

behind him. His scent of sandalwood and pine instantly filled the space. She clenched h

ou weren't lonely. After all, don't you hav

ered her sanctuary but a position within the

ff-limits to Mira-as Luna, your domain is the pack's h

made the brush in

sing the distance, utterly blind to the bitter edge in her words. "

rew the brush onto the

gile, she needs protecting. Then g

glistening with unshed tears, filled wit

drian's gaze, quickly schooled back in

firm and imposing. "You are my mate.

red. So he did remem

ath a whisper against her

trembled with a bitter ache. This wasn't an endearment; it was a command, a

n claiming her lips. With a surge of courage she didn't know s

step forward, his arms wrapping around her waist, effortlessly lifting and pinning her b

can't! Not

kiss was a hard, demanding pressure. "Yo

s unyielding. His strength was absolute. One hand pinned her wris

thin Mira. She had never imagined her husband wou

r, the trauma that had nearly shattered her, th

eir wedding night, he had promised, his

ed its way past her lip

t, Mira shoved him off and scrambled to the farthest corner o

mething like regret flashed in his eyes-b

voice, "you can't live in fear of this

his tone cut dee

to her like this before, not about this. Their therapist had advise

ender kisses. She had finally stopped flinching at hi

gain as he shi

away..." Her plea w

deep, exasperated sigh. He stood up and strode from the

er to follow, to submit. But she couldn't erase the image of his face, twisted with a determination that ha

me from her husband.

ed before her phone rang. It was

. Today was their w

pe: if all went well today, she might have found the courage to fina

ourage lay

eeting second, doubt wavered within her. Had she overreacted? Had he c

d the remnants of her resolv

answer. She trie

click of a declined call. He

as she scrolled and d

of thumping bass and raucous la

gh, loud and casual over the din

her voice barely a whisper again

n replied easily. "Stepped away for

ed, "I've got anoth

wer lip caught between her teeth

hadn't di

n. "Funny the Luna still bothers. Three years and she h

rough laught

k she's special? Everyone knows what happened to her. Damaged goods. C

is, the Alpha finally knows what a real gem is. Look at them dance.

a lash, stri

kery. T

knew. Eve

idelity but her. He had

her eyes, a fresh wav

sworn on his life never to tell

dignity for a lifetime, and

t, furious pain constricted her chest. Her wolf howl

the first grey light of daw

inally chimed, s

, expected-almost hoped-for a message

post on the pack

exquisite, sparkling diamond bracelet. The captio

t in passing. The Alpha insis