-perhaps a night's shelter, a reluctant nod of gratitude

adowfang in front of everyone. His words had sealed her fate be

as dan

ime-to observe, to manipulate, to strike when the moment was right. But now, that luxury had been ripped

der his wa

lms. She forced herself to remain outwardly composed, even as her mi

so slightly. There was something sharp in his gaze, something probing,

ures into neutrality.

ly, his voice like cold steel. "You're h

l rippled through

ight to refuse a

e submissive, the obedient. And if she wanted to s

lowering her gaze in feigned s

her to challenge him. But when she remained still, offeri

quarters," he ordered. "Sh

ng her arms. Their touch wasn't brutal, but it was firm, unwavering

s controlled, her expression unreadable. But her mi

alls, the heavy wooden doors reinforced with iron, the strategically placed guards st

etail m

n, she had to know thi

ck of the packhouse. One of the guards step

edical salves. A single wooden table stood in the center, its surface scratched from years of

ted. His tone held no hostility, but there was no

ned. She listened as the door shut behind her with a heavy

was

r

ble, running her fingers along its worn surface. She wasn

ut getting c

close enough t

She had anticipated resistance, but she

rything could collapse before s

nterrupted by a sud

st open with

d up, her body ten

inside, not bo

golden hair cascading down her back in perfect

an

e edge of the table. She had known this moment wou

e manner, as if she were sizing up a piece of pr

aler?" she mused, tilt

to relax, keeping her expr

n't recog

e, she w

changed after

d softly, lowering her g

nt, trailing behind her like the robes of a queen surveying her domain. "How dull,"

nched, but she

ose the Alpha felt pity for you," she continued, her tone light but l

nt, her fingers cu

, invading her space without h

down a small jar of dried herbs with an absent flick of her wrist.

t move to

amining her face with a crit

en

ok... f

ickened, but sh

y," she said, her voice ca

d her for a

med, a slow,

ted across her lips.

azily over the edge of the table. "It would be such a shame if you disappointed

the room, leaving the door

tening as her footsteps

s gone did she allow herself to re

e eye. Had studied her fac

he had see

a weak, na

rf