AHAN

y eyes that Willa was gone. That she

rect and personal rejection, or be outraged that she didn't seem to think I was worthy of a proper one after I had claimed her as mine.

eople, why did i

my neck and shoulder met, feeling

mn

remained one-sided and would likely st

g just beneath my skin. A certain feeling, akin to an urge or an itch,

h it all on my own, just as Willa would ha

fety, banishing the thoughts of another wave

at the mere idea of another man seeing

attles against my own army. She can take care of herself. She decided she

r still as I tried to ease the primal desire of fucking and breeding he

many times I had taken a deep inhale of the pillow that still smelled so much like Willa, or ho

isfied and.

ion into deep cleaning the cabin, then le

as I walked into the conference room that only

deep brown wingback chair at the head of th

we are no servants," Maliya shot back

ated out of the drinks cabinet at the far end of the room. The summoned item

anged her seat, transferring from beside Maliy

Then, as she slid the drinks towards me and Zuleika, she said, "A few of our people are upset about you suddenl

ionless without you, and the morale just plummeted. If you had just stuck to our plan, we could've taken over the biggest town of the Kingdom of

lse in the chain of command be present during the fights," I shot back, try

re witches, and you know well enough t

you are

allahan. Besides, your army wouldn't last long

nd replied, "My brain is more tha

. But when it comes to your own cause? That's a

t let your impulsive ass die in

," I said, forcing

tertainment. Imagine how boring life wou

. assuring. Really. My l

n my tone because Zuleika and M

ice quiet and tender. "Where have you been since you

d, finishing what wa

e drink, Maliya prodded, saying, "What were you even doing in Banf

ned, shooting her bes

ved sigh, but she didn't argue and simpl

Zuleika gave me a

ead back to let the drink flow down my mouth and throat as swiftly as I wanted. But the pleasant burn

ttle," I confessed, letting my gla

r pallor growing paler as her mind worked quickly to put the

ng against the backrest of my cha

o say, but she seemed to be havi

the news was. In fact, I could count with just one hand the times she had b

all of Maliya's patience because she huffed loudly and took over

... She was beautiful. She had the kind of humor and wit that

ing to ease the tightening of my chest

even just a physical attraction. It is how I was with her...

o have found her composure from the alcohol because she managed to add,

ook large swigs, ignoring the concerned look from Zuleika and the judgmental one from Maliya. But I didn't care if I se

y from my lips. "It would be embarrassing if you suddenl

nk, putting the nearly emp

sation right back on track. "What is it, Gallah

the Alpha King. Meanwhile, she's... Fuck..." I trailed off, r

when it was only in my head and when it was only a secret shared between Willa and I

iero, granddaughter of our main enemy, Greggory Alfiero

"Wow. Your beloved moon

ya," Zuleika chastise

y consolation, you are free to have a chosen mate, Gallahan. You are

uddenly feeling the need to dr

aliya and Zuleika s

mplete. I didn't receive a

e inside wing of my chair, refusing to see the

tes you," Mal

liy

rupted from me wit

from the conversation. Or maybe it was the fucking whi

d that maybe you were ba

ed, finally deigning

m activities... So let's head back to the drawing board." Zuleika turned her whole attention to me, meeting my gaze

e I already