ia

y private study, the only room i

the corner, spitting out the f

he Sever

d by the ancient Council to sever a Fa

s, tapping them against t

Rowan to come home so w

ical lock on the front d

punching i

penetrable, designed to keep out anyone who did n

of high heels clicking against the

of the stud

tanding in m

ess, and the sour, wild stench of a Rogue

running her fingers over the expen

to look at me. "A bit gloomy, th

act hidden behind my b

in here?" I deman

ed, a high,

passcode months ago-for emergencies, he said. I suppo

mach d

e place I had lived for five years was not mine

entire territory was covered

get out," I said, refus

eaching into her

e plastic stick and tossed i

was practically vibrating with the mag

d nail against the glass. "I have bathed in rare Alpha-musk herbs and consumed masking draughts.

ed, her arms crossed in a posture of in

physical blow, knocking

cannot even survive a simple breeding

lpha the pureblood

stick. I willed my head to turn, to look away, but the

oice steady. "A pup born to a Rogue witho

es narrowed

She knew I grew up as an outcast,

. "I know how hard it is for a pup with no Pack protection. Th

etic childhood crying in the snow. Do you really think

h, and the room, with all its fine furnishings

had to

ret I had only shared with him in the dark of t

door burst

his eyes wide with panic as he saw

here?" he yelled, rushing fo

ately changed

d, replaced by a trembling

nd Rowan's neck, pressi

said our baby would be torn apart

nd her waist protectively,

you say such a th

ning, in the hotel, you said this child would change everything. You require an

fell de

ing of color. He looked at

day mo

having my life essence ripped from my bod

promising my title to

wan stammered, gently pushing Sere

move. I di

t absolute, cryst

nd my back and threw them onto the glass cof

id, my voice cutting thr

bearing the full weight of his

the mate bond. And I am taking h

He had expected the docile Omega who had spent five years absorbing his neglect in silence. What he got instead