ms are rock hard at my back. Leaning down close, he s

him and tilt my head, pretending to check my i

uddenly pragmatic. "You might not feel the sa

hat I felt for yo

he announcement that my father signed a mating pact. Ashton and I barely knew each other; though we were both educated at the privat

luence of a young, unrequited crush. He wanted a job from my father, so maybe Ashton thought a marriage would secure that pos

changed. Because they neve

ating pact by now," I say, praying "hope"

firmly and takes my hand,

cut off from communication with the pack, I've been invol

else is there to say? "My

hey've already been through so much." He cuts himself of

t like to be reminded that I'm a black sheep in a den of wol

ation that I won't be breaking our engagement. That I will accept the transformation and stay w

r, saying, "Come. We never had a

ck to the world I left behind. All I did by leaving was delay the in

I feel eyes on us from all the other pairs; he's handsome, he's suave, and he dances with such grace it extends to me. I t

o leave her pack. Who ran out on a mating pact, who rejected the transformation and in doing so ma

yes and hold tightly to Ashton's shoulder, praying for the music to finis

eed to go out for some air, but before I can speak, I see the k

and inclines his head

t, but he doesn't even acknowl

," I whisper

ring, reaching for my own. He's the king. I let him take it and rise,

y hand. "Will you ho