ia'

here!" a girl beside me gasped, clutching

wasn't he supposed

got up, a heavy feeling sinking in my chest, knowing there'd be consequences if I didn't show. I almost wished he'd

king last-minute preparations. I quietly joined the back of the l

n a twisted game. My stomach churned with dread. I despised every moment of this, every reminder that t

" Miss Lavender commanded, her tone sharp, as

oked perfect, polished-each one seemingly more eager than

he entered, capturing every g

girl beside me whispe

e walked in with a powerful presence, as though he owned every inch of the spa

was tha

ke a mist. His eyes were sharp, as

pendant. Bold and unmistakable. I shivered, won

lcome to Becktonson Hotel, Alpha Noleen." Her sm

ce carried an edge of impatience. "So... these are

avender affirmed, following close

t pass me by. He stopped in front of e

on. Though silent, the weight

rl named Seren, he asked quietl

lied crisply. "A human gir

moment too long before moving

unted eyes, though he barely paused before moving past

asy? Her voice trembled slightly with

ith each girl he passed,

eamed of finding her "prince," and let his gaze lon

, a fragile hope r

fell, her hands clenching as

he stopped i

nable charge tingled through me.

e, my skin prickling as t

ng, and a flicker of something almo

d from his lips, revere

nder his stare. I wasn't like the others-polished, perfe

with a look that was almost... wonder? I sw

e lifted a hand toward my face. His fingers bar

he'd see through

sibly tense. "This is Maria," she sa

f amusement in his eyes. "Melissa's

g through me. She was gone, but her

at me with pity. "We found her two days a

he Moon Luna's daughter stands befor

prickling beneath my skin. He cou

unexpected gentleness, tilting my chin until I met his gaze

ken, unable to look away. I could sen

ight smile crossing his lips,

was

☆☆☆☆☆☆

IA'

our k

ght of resistance. I could feel his eyes on me,

ocess it. The bruises from last night's torment stung as they met the h

eness as he moved closer, his fingers graz

u belong to me. From now on, you wil

out the words, each syllable

me, savoring the submission he had extracted. My fists

was casual, like he was asking about

ed out before I correct

ned forward, his fingers tracing my jaw with calcul

"And yet you think you

is gaze felt as though it was dissectin

he command fell like a sto

ase... don't," I whisp

ing within them. Without war

snapped to the side,

er, his breath

s would change anything?" he gr

y eyes, my spirit battere

ere was a flicker of something in Adel's ex

ered, his tone sharp, anticipating my suff

this... t

was icy. Adel swallowed, nod

illed with a sadness

ists and ankles chained. The si

led a whip, dr

ross my back, and I coul

each strike wor

, to remember happier times, bu

e forever, Noleen's voice cu

jagged. But there was no comfort-only the

Britney,"

"Alpha... she's... she'

im. Adel's shoulders sagg