na

oorboards groan. The air instantly grew thick, saturated with an u

was still a mottled canvas of shock and humiliatio

eping from my head to my toes. Only when the rigid set of his broad shoulders relaxed-satis

at, devoid of any warmth. "Did I just hear you thr

but it fell upon the room li

ed together a shred of her matriarchal pride. "She struck my son!

is the Princess of the Blackwood Pack. Her royal title precedes her marriage. Second, before you lecture any

physically struck, the color dra

you the authority to accuse a princess of murder based on a 'mis

briefed him on the entire farce

fear, stepped forward with a snarl. "Ca

an icy calm. "Until a diagnosis is made, any accusation is treasonous slander. Tell me, is Hou

ight of his Gamma-rank authority pressing down on Bowen until the air seemed too thin to breat

h dawning horror, that her usual tactics of screeching and i

h, fluid motion, he dropped to one knee before me. He placed his right fist over his

lynn, still cowering by the dresser, looked as if she might actually faint

illiance of his move: this was a public, undeniable declaration. He was

had just unleashed... it rarely felt like that of a mere Gamma. It was too ancient, too heavy, easily rivaling that of

Because a man with the power to bring an entire room to its knees was choosing

mber that vibrated through the floorboards, a sound promising unwavering

nce. He wasn't here to mediate; he was here as my

ractically feel the waves of toxic humiliation rolling off him. The Alpha King's most

yes: this same man, drenched in the blood of my enemies, standing over their br

thought had turned entirely to ice. This man was my ally.

ice steady, infused with the absolute

in of strength, and took his rightful place sli

tered faces of the Mayer family. I lifted my chin, savoring their fear. "

barrier between me and their hatred. Let them scheme. Let them h