a
the first light of dawn. It wa
nd slid into the bed beside him, pulling the heavy velvet comforter up to my chin. I turned onto my side, facing the door, and scr
ed out, my voice
, with kind eyes and graying hair, carried a basin of water. The younger o
idening in shock as they took in the scene. Me, in m
round my waist. I blinked at them, my expression
I asked, my voice tr
ied deeply. "Madam, this is the Alpha Apparent's
the still form of Amos beside me, then down at myself. I let out a small,
l. "That's impossible. I was... I was suppo
ion and stress, welled in my eyes and spill
it completely. I was the poor, innocent bride who had s
hem. "You have to help me. Please, take me t
se, Madam. Right away." She gestured to the younge
s watchful, pitying gaze. I buried my face in my han
in dining hall. There, Luna Georgina and Alpha Huston were seated
ound-the distraught new bride in the wrong
t her plate. Her face, already strain
my dress was still creased and smudged with dust. My hair was a mess. I l
y knees, the worn fabric of the dress
I cried, my voice thick with unshed
hint of deception. I met her gaze without flinching, my own eyes wide and
o the wrong room?" he
ed all night. "They gave me so much wine at the reception... my head was spinning. Someone... som
he implication was clear. This wasn't a
a mother. She was a woman. She was begi
ash in my mouth. "We... we completed the bond. And now this... this
at Asha and Blaise now shared as my own. It made my d
t, replaced by the warmth of maternal sympathy. She was looking at a young girl from a less
ments graceful and commanding. She reached down
ce softer now. "This matter will b
irst, most crucial battle. I had secured the sympat
s and beyond. The tale of the tragic Omega bride, so distraught and confused on her wedd
e manor, I knew Asha and Blaise were hearing the whispers, t
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