LN

the steaming pots of food. She checked the neatly cut vegetables on

seen her, getting caught would mean mor

nstruments and furniture into the grand hall, children ra

s second mate, officially crowning her as Luna. This was

as from neighboring provinc

Hours before dawn, while others were sound asleep or

the pungent mix of spices and her own unwashed scent. The sten

you slacking? The gu

gaze sweeping over the room before settli

p?" she sneered. "Get your useless self

wn her forehead; she wiped it with the back of her soapy palm, leaving foam on her face. They could have assigned someone to help, but no, th

e sauce, smacked her lips, and gave a reluctant nod. "Not bad. At least the pup

ent burned in her chest. Twice, she had

obody. And Alora? She was the daughter of the former Beta. She sh

able that served as her room. She wanted to change her filthy dress, but exhaustion

tap rou

f flooded her. "Duane? What are you doing h

d what is my poo

iny space, a sagging bed, a sack in the corner

hile the hall

ight, nearly stumbling as she grabbed the sack

doo

, unbothered by Duane's presence. What was there t

sixteen, she had been vibrant, full of l

His heart ached at the sight, and he blinked

f shoes, slipping them on befo

dn't

tead of answering, he wrapped his arms around her frail

l be okay, Lora

reamed at the lie, but she s

sixteen. Given a choice, she would have stayed in the stable, curled up in her miserable excuse for

y arrived, dre

sured, leading her to the

r palms, her pulse pounded in her ears. Stepping into that hall, u

uane's. He leaned close

her, giving her just e

e scanned the c

them?" Duane

e was looking for them. The ones wh

hey?" she

"You still ca

d no a

s from other provinces sat in their jewel-encr

ered, his eyes still forwar

ook he

eyes shine when you lie. It

ng smile from her. Even if his words we

the entrance snapped

pha Donovan of the Herith Pack. The most powerful alpha after Floyd-the one who had conquered c

ing. On his right, another striking woman in royal attire, und

, where Floyd and the other

took his seat, the

esence. This union between our packs marks a new era of

hrough the hall, joy

Alora, a

be the on

he title of Luna. But the Moon Goddess had deemed her unworthy, had cur

arkening her face, the

t this get to yo

was t

illing down her cheeks be

Duane begged, pulling he

m, but the more she foug

this pretty face?" he teased

small and frag

hand. "Tomorrow

swallowing

e didn't b