ROME
ical thing, a toxic sludge filling my throat, making it hard to breathe. My ha
a th
of my mind. It was a gamble, a stupid one, with my life as th
my han
lly crafted whisper of apology and fragi
was sharp, heavy, and full of pressure. The Alpha pheromones in the air thickened, a clear signal of his disple
was colder than the marble flo
preparing the lie. "I
grant a moment's reprieve. I lowered my head, my hair falling over my face like a curtain, a
oed from the darkness. It wa
. His breath, smelling of the cold night air, ghosted across my forehead.
, his voice a low vibration that seem
lpha of his power could scent the hormonal changes in an
to the Alpha King would be far worse than simply obeying his initial comman
didn'
ence receding. He took a step back, the pr
ng to that flat, unreadable tone. The calmness was more unsettling t
I remained a statue of feig
ed his outer layers, the rustle of expensive fabric a stark contrast
in th
re," he
old expanse of the sheets, stopping at the very edge, keeping as much distan
n the frozen room, yet his presence offered no comfort, only a di
ide chasm, yet his existence filled eve
to the slow, steady rhythm of his breathing, every nerve alight with tension
painted the sky in shades of gray
without a wasted motion. He was a phantom, preparing to melt back into the world outs
lence, right beside my ear. He h
one low and sharp. "The next time you try
rigid. The blood d
k
had let me think I'd succeeded, only to deliver
ut. His footsteps f
back was drenched in a cold sweat, the silk nightgow
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