VA

en known existed and tried to turn, careful no

. I'm sorry for bringing it up, it was just... just a

y heart raced erratically as he stepped tow

ke a giant, filling

my back made ret

me," he snapped, shoving the basket aside with one hand

guardian? Perhaps the handsome Ree

e, and I didn't understand why he was

't even know the other Guardians," I murmur

ng me feel a little dizzy. His skin gliste

led, his voice

clamped around my chin,

face, and I felt a surge of embarrass

ou became mine. Don't think for a second you can choose anyone els

in, and my eyes flicked to h

guardian-or anyone, for that matter-asks something of you or trie

as too close, making me stand o

es scanning my face as if analyzing something. I cou

ck with the forceful stride of a wil

k, the sleeveless navy shirt clinging to his hard muscles. A

esty!..." He'd

*

oned getting the day off for the pack festival, but that didn't concern me. My entire life

oward the stove and saw a maid, hunched over, crying. Blood staine

" I quickly set the tray aside and

rapped the wound. "Oh, Goddess, how am I sup

on the wooden board. The truth was, without more staff

a voice behind me. Another m

ontrol, I continued on to

eep half-dark, like a beast's den, and

ment," his deep, gravelly voi

ven his private room. I knocked on the heavy door, and his voice told me t

th a work desk in the center, a black leather sofa beneath the

mned celebration to honor the Goddess," he grumbled. "I'

ared into the bathroom, leaving

ven if it was a fake title," I muttered to

xquisite garments, though I rarely saw h

e room, only to be greeted by the sight of his bare, mu

ickly averted my gaze, embarrassed-modesty

ad probably been tempted to throw themselve

e said, his voice smooth and teasin

diculous at the party, it will b