n't s

coul

t made my skin feel too tight. The pull in my chest hadn't faded. If anythin

w over my face and

le couldn't be my mate. The Moon

d me the moment I was born,

as worse. I dragged myself out of bed, splashed cold water on my face from the basin, and pulled

, preparing for the Alpha King's arrival. Vanessa stood near the entrance, barking orders at anyone within ear

and slipped past her

ui

ched.

nto me like a predator spotting prey

I said quietly

re near the main hall today. In fact, stay out of sight entirely. We

ut I didn't argue.

ood," I

nd satisfied. "Goo

away before she coul

ht. That was easy enough. I h

e ceremony happening without me. The council would greet the Alpha King formally. There

pull did

e was trying to claw its way out. My wolf whined and pushed a

teeth and k

dge of the estate, where the old trees grew thick and the pack rarely went. It was quiet he

trees and leaned back agains

ing a

snappe

in his pockets, watching me wi

er H

lpha

m

rm about to break. Dark hair, sharp jawline, eyes so intense they pinned me in p

o my feet, he

I didn't kno

round the edges. "I'm not here to p

What to do. He was the Alpha King. I

pull flared so violently I had

rowed. "You

't a qu

Couldn't. My th

our name?

anaged. "Qui

oss his face. Surprise,

ted slowly. "I though

aid quietly.

under his gaze. Like he could see every scar, ever

omega," he

odd

, frowning. "Your wolf. The

ked. "

n't move. The bond wrapped around us like a li

itted, his voice quiet

erate to close the distance.

k down, panic ri

happen," I

ion darkene

at him, and at the space between us. "Look a

care about sense

ed. "Your council does. They would

stood there, jaw tight,

king for a mate," he sa

k to be one,

ed. Almost a smi

re was something raw in his voice now. Something almo

s exactly wh

d in protest, cla

know," I

could feel the heat coming off him. Close enough tha

said, even thou

uld," he

r of u

The touch was light, barely there, but it sent a shock th

mistake," I

y," he m

is mouth w

desperate and consuming and fierce, like he was trying to devour me and I was letting him. My hands fi

ing into place so violently it

Mate

led back, we were b

tonight," he said

said no. Sho

I di

" I wh

mine, and I saw the war happening behind

alked away, disappea

hand pressed to my

I just