ra
y was sho
back to the main hall. I was not invited, but I didn't need to be. I knew Cordie. S
sphere in the room had changed. The overt hostil
en... under a great deal of emotional strain. Her apprehension about the union is perhaps more
t didn't reach her eyes. "Matriarch, Alpha Gavin's patience, whe
wrapped in black velvet. She didn't
" she said smoothly. "He sent this last night, by his fast
brow furrowed in suspic
on a cushion of
piece of art, the muscles of the wolf coiled as if ready to spring, its head raised in a silent howl. The craftsmans
very she-wolf knew. T
a gift of courtship. It was a declaration. A symbol given only once, to the Alpha's ch
xed on me, "that no matter what she fears, no matter what whispers she has heard,
asn't angry. He wasn't insulted. He was... reassuring. And utterly, terrifyingly
ing her eyes. This was not the reaction of an Alpha
e totem from Cordie and holding it out t
shackle. A beautifully carved, incredibly powerful shack
ly instinctual retreat. My
ept it," I whisper
m, to accept the bond. It would un
into a mask of cold disapproval. "Lady Amara, an Alpha's patience has i
o speak, my throat tight with
ved with swift authority. She stepped between us
gnificant gift... she is emotional." She turned her back on me, placing the totem on the mantel
for me. She had ma
r's back, a fresh wave of
control the new dynamic. She turned back to Mrs. Sul
honored if you and the Stonefang delegation would remain as our guests and attend the festiviti
She was inviting hi
invitation to my Alpha," she said, her smile returning. "I am certain h
s another deliberate, possessiv
ie. "Why?" I demanded, my voice shaking with betrayal. "
vy and complex. She looked from my face to the
nto the eyes of the Alpha who is so determined to claim you, and I need to decide which
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