ora

elds star

gaze, my heart hammering against my ribs like a trapped bird. I

a sharp voice cut

her mind! A wolfles

Her face was a mask of contrived conce

dismissive gesture that silenced her as effectively as a gag. Beat

oment, to his mother. A silent

I heard her murmur, her voice low but firm. "Th

turned his attention back to the crowd, his voice booming wi

e honor of House Fi

ne again. "Your d

ot the script they had imagined. I felt a tremor of relief so pr

Jasper forward,"

ace. Jasper was her son. If I chose him, her branch of

ascended the altar. They were the image of high-born wolves-tall, broad-shouldered, with the casual arrogance of those w

neration, besides my son," Fento

lly accepting the scraps from the Alpha's table. Beatrice was practically vibra

litician's smile. Either would be considered a magnificent catch for any she-wolf in the territo

not

other, then slowly, del

t in the charged silence, it sounded

t me, their handsome faces slack with disbelief. To be publicly refused by

n of an inch. "Why?" The word wa

t the shocked faces in the crowd. It settled, once and

no hint of romance in my eyes. Only

ach word a carefully placed stone. "I was to be the mate of

to either of them would make me the wife of a

l the air, all the power, all the a

t to commi

paused, letting the anticipation build to an unbearable pea

Extended my index

, but down, at t

lpha Fento

nce was absolute-a vacuum w

ly struck her. Augusta's regal composure fin

joke, had just demanded the hand of the undispute