an's

oment I stepped onto C

uniquely hers-something that made my wolf surg

at

through my min

il meetings pressuring me to choose someone,

med me. I saw her pinned in a chair, two guards restrainin

vision sharpened, narrowed to the sight o

's M

e came out as a growl, Alpha command roll

sed her instantl

d the room in

e green eyes-stunning, defia

r into my arms, to shield her, to te

op a few feet away, my ha

. "Alpha King Blackw

never left my mate.

the windows. "Your Majesty

on her." I let my wolf bleed into my voice, watching with sa

ike she couldn't quite process what was happening. Ther

have been

niable, overwhelming. But she was looking at me like I

clicked into pla

couldn't feel the mate bond the way we did. T

between us-something cold and guarded in her

and toward her.

from my hand to my face. For a mo

stretched hand entirely, and wa

d down the instinct to simply pick her up and

tarted, her voice tight.

ing at her. "Touch her again, and I'll dismantle t

at followed wa

out of the parlor, my men fa

-

k into the ci

r from me as physically possible. She stared out the

dening. Every instinct I had demanded I pull he

e was

?" I asked, keepi

ri

name on my tongue. It

King of the Blackwood Pack. Ruler of the entir

er voice. No fear, ei

ned softly

she asked suddenly, s

you nee

not an

, the way her fingers twisted together in her l

my mat

ng in the ai

y then, and I saw it-disbe

" she repea

es

a bitter sound that

ha shows up out of nowhere, claims I'm his destined soulm

r voice cut deepe

ing you t

I appreciate the rescue back there. I do. But I've had

" I could hear the frustration cr

feel an

it like a p

el it-she was human. But the way she said it, the

u can't feel it because you're human.

. She crossed her arms and leaned back aga

was ready to bolt. I couldn't let her run. I had to find a way to kee

ract ma

me like I'd

to remain businesslike even as my wolf clawed at my chest. "I need a mate t

ary' tasted like

at reducing our sacred bon

she said slowly, her voice fla

h of us right now, isn't it?" The words felt like

could practically see her mind workin

r head. "I don't thin

ad, I pulled out my phone and sent my private

said, my tone leaving no room

hen back at me with a frown

gh-rise downtown. Elegant enough for most, but i

here you'r

r n

ri

for the door handle. "Than

he door, I leaned forwa

. The kind that had made more than

orward to our

for a second. Then her m

e, Alph

lobby, every instinct screaming at me to foll

lled away, I

hing. I want to know who she is, where she's been,

se. "You found her, d

he city lights blurri

nd

ed her a cont

rt, incredulous lau

sh I

you goin

over my face. "I

, closing my eyes. My wolf was s

t want us,*

growled back.

n't s

to make my mate lose faith

ll had happ