me without
world into shades of gray. I stood by the window, wat
ck so
dress draped over her arm.
ring," she said. "
ect
invi
s if I don't
ed. "That woul
s answe
Wolves-men and women-lined the walls, their gazes trac
as being
der than the mansion itself. A raised platform dominat
diated f
lent the moment
id, his voice calm but carryin
ppled throu
ard, his eyes glowing fai
Damien
a woman added sh
ze hardened
napped in
one touches her. No one threatens her. N
red across s
ded. "She eats with whom she choose
art p
sn't pr
s decla
eered. "And if sh
didn't
answer f
ded like
olves filed out, some avoiding my eyes, oth
hed once the r
e I'd be on displa
t," he replied. "And you n
t say an
didn'
"Are those rules for
ed across his fac
ryone,"
, I realized some
meant to
ner or
ld te
mien's declaration l
fted on their feet. Some lowered their heads in acceptance. Others stared ope
longer
ed his throat. "Alpha," he said carefully,
s," Damien cut in
om sti
d," the woman with sharp eyes said. "Y
d. Measured. "She does not nee
tightened
, his jaw set. "And if outsiders come
g through the chamber. When he stopped, he was close
Damien said softly, "t
allo
n't reas
as a w
brushing close enough that I could feel the heat of their bodies. A
s she passed, "
until we wer
to do all that,
, I
target on
ust a fraction. "Yo
the echo of our footsteps the only sound. "Th
"They'll reveal w
t comfort
ng down in sheets. Wolves scattered across the gro
covered archway. "Why
"They aren't afraid of you," he said
't done
t y
e. "You keep
lied. "Something is shifting. And y
rolled o
een brought here, fear wasn't
sibili
rds followed me like a promise
the rul
h ones you can a
ice the star
my shoulders. Wolves stood in small clusters, voices dropping the moment
dg
elf, suddenly very aware of
air was braided tightly down her back, her eye
lose to the Alpha,
needed permission
o a thin smile. "Yo
at meant, she turned and d
to
s echoed
e length of the room. Every creak of the floor sounded
ck broke t
d, no guards,
stless," h
could start a war," I said
ent crossed his face.
hey're afr
e they
way. "But knowing doesn'
woman in the court
ned. "Did she
d. "Which someh
as inte
ze. "So what
ow," he said, "you learn who watches y
ckled softly
ld walk freely,
derstand this-freedom here isn't ab
, sleep ca
eathe around me. Somewhere far off, a wo
, but I pressed a
g was ca
tever i
sn't
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