a P

eat Hall. Harrison Price, the eldest of the pack Elders, ste

as t

training took over, my back stra

o Isabelle, who placed her delicate fingers in his. Together, they moved to the front of the dais, a perfe

ty, "under the watchful eye of the Moon Goddess, our Alpha King

husiastic applause sw

ds and ladies, warriors and diplomats. And then, for a fraction of a

ating. For one insa

ommand that vibrated in the very bones of every wolf present, "choose

ect, blushing modesty, leaning into his streng

ld went

d see the musicians lifting their instruments. But all I could hear was a high-pitched ringin

rough the void, a blade o

ri

e. Cold. Loud.

ing from celebration to surprise, and then to a delicio

the shadows, walked to the center of the ha

Ki

was late because I had been in my room, trying to

weight, sharp enough to flay skin. "As my personal guard, to be late for a ceremony of

she murmured, her voice filled with sweet reason. "Don't be harsh. I'm sure Aria didn't

re gasoline on a fire. She had reminded him of my past service,

"It is because she was once my sharp

for a moment, savoring the tensio

, you are relieved of your d

I had expected thi

prepared for w

nounced, his voice ringing with finality. "You will b

llowed by poorly hidden snicke

rthern

t in the entire Citadel. It was a punishment detail

the Citadel's gutter. It w

ll object. Not the silver insignia of the Royal Guard, but a

k it. And

f me with a sharp, metallic clatter, spi

metal. A symbol

th

nd rough against my skin. I closed my fist around it, the s

hips of ice. Through our mate-bond, the one he had just publicly de

my King,"I said