ra'
ger on the way back to
oak door of the maids' dormitory closed behind me. Only then did I let mys
very heartbeat. My dress clung uncomfortably to my skin, champagne and sweat and shame all mixed together. I could still feel the ghost of Dari
my eyes until spots
o
looked at me like I was dirt one second
ing the ball, carrying trays, refilling goblets, smiling t
mist
eet. No crown
humourless,
y body had reacted before my mind could catch up-nipples tightening, thighs pressing together, a slick ache I
'd sa
ow in my chest f
nightshift I kept folded beneath the pillow. The fabric was rough, but clean. I curled onto my side
didn't
uddenly stopped sharing secrets with me overnight. The way the pack had started looking past me like I
felt differe
k startled
of the younger maids, Any
needed in the east wing. Liora
ed. "Now? The ba
" Anya bit her lip. "S
y dress back on over the nig
corridor outside one of the larger rooms, arms crossed, golden hair still perfect despi
starting to think you'd run off fo
even. "What do y
ng the toasts. Nauseous. Dizzy." She pressed a delicate hand t
I can fetch
bered you brought me that glass of wine e
was serving champagne. You asked
ad your fingerprints all over it and your scent is strongly evident o
ed like a sto
hade.
touched any wine tonight. I was bare
ead. "Then how do
the door
y goblet, my fingerprints smudged clearly on the stem-and beside it, a
ammed again
is, and you know
't it? A wolfless handmaid, rejected by the Alpha King in front of everyone, suddenly p
closed the door behind
They'd find the vial. They'd find you here. And Darius..." She let the
hy are you doing this
g moment. Then she smile
ut of my way.
small bell
urst in-two of Darius's
Liora ordered. "She's under suspi
abbed m
do this Liora. I'm inn
I also knew that the punishment for treason was death
coughing continuously. The healer appeared a
" I tried again, attem
pha king's mother, gav
ou attempted this inside my palace wall
a called soundin
take her to her room."
been some sort of misunderstanding. She probably got jealous that the Al
. Do not worry. This will be properly investigate
ress. Even I started to believe her. As the maids help
ave come here with
ry, I know you're innocent,
ly and yet you commit this atrocity against her?!" Luna Seraphine's
my sight before I rip her apart."
ght, didn't struggle.
corridor, Liora called aft
ak to the King. I'll beg for
r clanged sh
ld stone under
, back against the
ybe minutes. Time
foots
oor o
, silhouetted agai
s burne
," he said quietly. "Death
dy knew this but it felt mo
ncy." His jaw tightened. "She
de. The door cl
ere
enough that his scent wrapped ar
," he murmured. "None of
ilent, starin
m after all the Alpha King of this r
liberately close. I could here his he
ould still be a servant, but I would serve a greater master. But I could
ot be your mistress, I am ready to accept the consequ
ed in his eyes-re
go and sto
told the guards outside. "Banish he
ithout an
oor s
y forehead
ish
this wouldn't be so bad after all. I w
l. Yes, banishment wasn't the end of t
cell window. It was
s be the dawn of a new beginn
s final whisper echoed in my mind-the one s
y friends will be wait
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