a

darted from my disheveled form to the heavy candlestick lying on th

t to the light. I put on my best perfor

raspy whisper. "What... what am

, Ila. You felt unwell. We brought you here to rest." He grabbed my arm, his

agged against him, playing the part of the weak, trusting woman who believed

hallway. He knew he had to g

d maids, Holly and Ivy. "Take her to... to the Alpha A

a Appare

huffled off to the dying man's bedside. I let my head

ges, avoiding the main areas where guests might still be lingering. The scent of victory clung to him, a sickeningly sw

f a secluded wing. This part of the manor was eerily quiet, isolat

shoved me inside. He didn't let

and urgent. "I'll explain everything to Father

cked shut, the sound of the bolt sliding home

y new prison. The room was vast and opulent, decorated in dark woods and rich, heavy fabrics. A fire lay dead

the room, to the enormous four-po

e man lyi

s G

gly handsome, with a strong jaw and high cheekbones. But it was a face devoid of color, pale and waxy, like a

oser, observing him. His breathing was faint, but regular. I gently plac

ut steady. It didn't feel like the pu

l was fixed and dilated, showing no reaction to

ouldn't survive here as a widow. But a life shackled to a man t

e of the bed and sat down.

m. It felt less like I was talking to him and more to myself.

ting of the evening's events.But as I finished, my voice cracked.

ispered, my gaze fixed on his still face

hand. It was cool to the to

e resurfacing with a vengeance. My grip on his hand tightened. "I'm

ord left my l

lic

th that bloomed from his palm into mine, t

throat. Was it my imagination? A t

, concentrating, searchin

and remained c

en a simple muscle spasm, a deep, involuntary reflex. But to me, it was

t an emp

e in my chest, began to hammer against my r

e promise. "I will not let you die, Amos Greer. A