Claimed Beneath the Blood moon

her servants cast curious glances but asked no questions. In Blackthorn Keep, silence was safer than curiosity. She finished her chores by candlelight, then slipped into the narrow attic room s

ning with every breath she took. She had heard stories of true mates, whispered tales passed between kitchen girls on cold nights. They spoke of instant knowing, of souls recognizing one another across battlefields or crowded markets. They n

the others, dressed in silence, and slipped downstairs to start the fires. Routine was her armor. As long

ack to life, when the door opened behind her. Cold air rushed in, carrying h

rway. His voice was rough with lack of sle

She kept her tone flat, poking at the

dgment. She felt him approach, slow and deliberate, until he stood directly

k at

wn carefully. Then s

e had changed into a simpler tunic of dark wool, sleeves rolled to his elbows, revealing forearms corded with musc

" he said. No

without flinching.

d halfway between frustration and h

pulse hammered. "Walk away. Pretend it never happened

ter. "If only it

ilt her head back to hold his stare. The bond sang, a low thrum that vibrated

iscipline. No distractions. No weaknesses. And then you... a

harper than she intended. "I am nothing to you

as necessary in that room. Words for Gi

the truth, Dam

and brushed a stray lock of hair from her cheek. The touch was

something inside me woke up and refused to go back to sleep. I have fought wars. I hav

"You still plan to

ther's lands are rich in iron and timber. Without this union, both packs weaken. The rogu

regnate me. Discard me. Leave Clara untouched. The old rites

ch you like that? Use your body for ritual an

ling to do it

t to his chest. "Last night I did not know what it

d between them,

ne in this house who ever was. She does not deserve to be a pawn any more than I do. But she carries the mark. She carries

htened. "Then we

r. I can feel you even now, like a thread pulled taut across the room. Ho

he fire licked at her back; heat from him pressed against her front. "We fin

d t

ess has given me." His voice dro

between them, r

er hands lifted of their own accord, fingers curling into the fabric of hi

sped. "Just one. T

shoved him away and run. Instead she rose

, thumbs brushing her cheekbones as he angled her head and deepened the contact. She opened for him without hesitation, tasting storm and smoke

stepped between them. The bond roared approval, flooding her with heat and need until she could barely think. His mouth left hers to trail down her thr

," she

nst her pulse.

mie

acks of her thighs, lifting the fabric higher. She gasped as cool air met heated skin, then moaned when his fingers found

rough with possession. "Marked

his thumb while two fingers pressed inside her, stretching her gently. Pl

oed in the corrido

y f

own and stepping back. Ashley tugged her dress into

lined cloak, cheeks pink from the col

g way to something sharper. "Father wants you in the sol

ickly. "Of cours

t, thumb brushing the inside in a touch no one e

owed slightly, bu

r sister, Clara caught he

a small smil

e. "You would tell me

sted bitte

, but the worry li

g back. She felt Damien's gaze on h

Seamstresses fitted Clara for the ceremonial gown, a masterpiece of silver silk and moonstone beads. Ashley was kept busy fetching water, mendi

th his guards, in the armory inspecting weapons, in the great hall speaking with Gideon. Each time he

the kitchens, the one place she could breathe without eyes on her. Snow had begun falling again, soft and

ps appr

en Damien appeared. Sh

y, hands in his pockets, s

eeting like this,

kno

y are yo

He stepped closer. "And becaus

oftly. "In this house

"Tell me what you want, Ashley. Not what duty d

ked. Not her father. Not the servants. Not e

earing. I want to matter. And I want..." She met his gaze. "I want you.

fingers together. "Then we fight for both. We find a w

ow

"But I will not let you be used. I will not let them disca

ed. "You would

and pressed a kiss to her palm

hummed wi

hem, two shadows in a white world, bound

ights r

on was

ween them was only