y

e wounds... you would have been locked up again," Elin said, he

ng the moment I had spent locked in those strong arms, the

en listening to me?"

grounding myself as I sat dow

ing in my chest demanding to be rele

a quiet, c

by a sudden rush of hope, and pulled Elin closer into my private space. "You see, Elin, I have always wanted

she said gently, her words stri

es and my hope collapsed. I sat back down, my spine

," I whispered, st

pletely wrong. Do you think I'm sick? Am I wicked

features softening with pity. "Your husba

to either of them. After all, I am just an ornament used to decorate the packhouse, A beauty th

turning dead serious. "Don't you dare tell anyone

was it that you wanted to tell me so badly out there?

shing the moment the memory rushed back. A genuine s

ere I want, as long as I return entirely intact," I said,

ching smile on her face as she str

ng my hands in hers. "Just because I let you hear

erstandingly. "

it," I re

don't think I would have ever found the courage to use my vocal cords in all my life if I hadn't met her. Now, in the safety o

kin. As we walked along the winding stone paths, I found myself longing to step out from the shade. I wanted to bathe in the sunlight. I wa

ho we ha

the peaceful quiet of the courtyard. I

el

asn't from anger, but from pure, suffocating fear. Fear that she would ru

a predator. Her eyes traveled down my form with utter disdain. "But what can I say? Your father must reall

d swiftly, flashing the sign language I used to communicate with the re

firm. "Thank you, Lady Selena. But my father said a beauty

ear a black gown for tonight's event. You'll be standing right beside Alpha Draven, and th

packs wil

couldn't help the small smile that broke through my fear. I quickly g

ap Draven had given me. I had to make him see that Alpha Draven d

y. My father was coming for the celebration. But as I stared at the ripples in the water, a dark thought crept in. Would he actually take

dark, floor-length gown featuring a sweetheart neckline and long, flowing sleeves. It was a beautiful, stark black. Elin carefully twis

ss, it looked tragic and beautiful. I knew I couldn't allow any harm to come to myself, or I would suffer gravely under Draven's wrath

utiful, My Lady," she whi

as Elin walked me down the long, cold corridors toward the grand hall.

rcely clench the fabric of my black gown to hide the shak

er voice laced with sudden panic. "I thou

of brilliant blue , every single person i

ng my enemy. I had brought this humiliation enti