VER

rists, cold and merciless. Each rat

ards yanked me toward the packhouse. My voice cracked,

and I bit my lip as the iron dug into my skin.

r myself?" I twisted in their grip and glared at the soldiers. "Because I fought b

ike a sack of grain. The world tilted and I st

inst his back, but he was solid as a moun

ld," he finally said, voice fla

cracked l

ee

sperate? Didn't he just claim a Luna - my sister, no less - and he think

other guard didn't even look at me.

got my hands on a dagger and the goddess granted me one c

. The scent of pine and stone should have been comforting -

anical as they stripped away the dirt of the scuffle. They scrubbed my skin, dressed me in silks that weren't

like a prize while the chains

e had locked me up and dressed me like this, would she defend

head aside. "Stop. Enough." My voice broke, lo

hand. The others glanced at

again," I snarl

miss, but the Alpha is currently in a meeting with

uest. As if I hadn't bee

d me. Untie me! You're holding me against my w

like sympathy. "Under other circumstances, perhaps. But when the A

oward her, voice quieter now, almost desperate. "They're cu

ly he unlocked the cuffs around my hands, though my ankles staye

slave," the guard muttere

d made bile ri

ld reply, th

id whispered, bowing her

fened. Faces

he en

e smoke, heavy and suffocating. His eyes found m

tepping closer. "Darling

ng lower, and I flinched. Rage flared h

led throug

d raised to strike, but Bla

and. A maid rushed a cloth into his palm. He cleaned himself

service," he murmur

ved me to my feet. My knees sho

hands and guided me behi

ung to my hair and clothes. The hall was grand - polished table

ike they owned the room. Opposite them, the Alpha of Furcro

o table, pouring drinks. The chains aroun

red. Heavy. Sha

o look up, my

e. Familiar. The same eyes I had se

were fi

nd deliberate. My

a Co

"Let's get this discussion started. I want to

e rolled over me like thunder - command

for sale," Blak

onry's gaze

was entrusted to me. Not

e." Conry's voice hardened. "Q

rket value,"

the mark

wi

owstring ready to snap. My

cut through the s

ce... if she

Every hea

art s

goddess.

ointed. Dir

hardly worth a copper. She was to be one of my playthings." His

hought. If it meant leaving Blake's shad

't change. "I don't wan

held it

urst into laughter. "Fine

as brought

ization settled. I wasn't fre

ow, his eyes burning. "Wha

oze.

the wall beside my head, e

talking to you

ut edged. "She is mine now. If you lay a hand on

's lips thinned and he

is voice softened but his eyes s

led around m

rcing strength into my

to something that

ereal," he