e edge of the velvet-covered bed. The chamber around me gl

ewelry boxes lined the dresser, and

was royal, luxurious-meant for a queen, not for me. My fingers ran o

l like me... end up he

just the daughter of a man who hated me, a wolfless werewolf scraping by in obscurity. Now I

accept this role, play along, and hope to survive? Or should I follow th

nted me: Some who tried it d

rpet. "I'm wolfless. I'm already weaker than any ordina

one-hunting in the evenings, never sharing laughter or friend

mother was a werewolf, I would never have touched h

to my palm, fighting

I need

sly, lit by flickering torches that threw long shadows on the walls. I walked quietly, relieved that none of the

y breath. "Just

en I s

he hall. Something pulled at me-an odd tug in my chest

e he

nds of pale gold. The moment he turned, our eyes locked-and I felt it. That snap. T

hand flying

"You." His voice was low,

raw and gritty. With Kai, it had been pride, like he was lifting me up into someth

even as my heart raced. Warmth, safety, love-

. "Who... w

er, but not too

ed over me, c

smile. "I'm Mira." My voice

urned his gaze to the wall lined with paintings, as if he didn't want

ly along the gallery wall, the candlelight dancing across

int these?" I

houghtful. "I don't paint.

my head

t put into words," he answered s

painting to the next. He wasn't like the others. No

e. "How did you feel... when you lear

ath caught, and before I could st

My voice shook, but I pressed on. "And when I stepped into this c

yes focused fully on me now.

I couldn't just hate you and walk away. It tied me to you against my

mistakable. He flinched, thoug

kly, his voice firmer now. "I

rive me mad. Or kill me. But sometimes I wonde

way. This castle... whatever else it may be, i

ound in me, soothing but

y should have. My hand brushed against his, and before I realized it, o

though he wanted to say something more. Heat rose to my c

cker of conflict crossed his face, and

ould go,"

warmth had been made my chest a

his footsteps ech

What was I supposed to do now? Obey my father's command, twist the brothers against each

my steps heavy. The corridor fe

reached my d

res

the hall. A figure lingered at the

caught. "W

tant, the sha

pounding, before finall