The Alpha's Heartbound

LO'S

rst rain on scorched earth-intoxicating. She was unlike any woman I had ever encountered before. It gnawed at me and pulled m

f to be distracted. No

hing else-something raw beneath that surface. She has long, auburn hair that falls in soft waves, bright blue eyes, and a smooth, expressive face that is too beautifu

w," my wolf Ra

crutinize her," I supp

oser, touch, and take in more of her scent. But I couldn't let myself be mov

eliberate. I had no room for weakness here, no room for misplaced trust. No one, not even a woman as stunning

gainst the headboard, her fingers gripping the edge of the blanket like it was a lifeline. Good. She shoul

her scent subtly shifted as anxiety and curiosity warred within her. But I wouldn't let on that I was affected by

d our position, but still... something was missing. At twenty-five, I had everything a wolf could dream of-wealth, influence, dominance over rival

same strength and ruthlessness. And more than that, someone who could surpass me. I wasn't blind to the whispers in the ranks. They knew as well as I did that

t, but none had conceived my child. I had begun to wonder if the curse was true, but I refused to believe it. I could feel its weight pressing down on me, th

those thoughts aside. They

found her alone, weak, almost taken by rogues. That didn't sit right with me. She had no business being here. Ye

zed shirt. She tried to hide it, but I saw her fingers clutching the fabric tighter.

ser, watching her eyes widen slightly. She hadn't expected me to speak,

me?" I bit out. Patience wasn't my stron

ts. Finally, she spoke in a voice so soft it barely reached me. "Yes, my name is Reika." She forced herself up to stand, the blanket falling

anger in my territory was more of a threat than a potential ally. I couldn't let anyone, even a

or half-truths or have time for empty words. I searched her face, expecting the kind

g her options. Finally, she lowered her gaze. "My mate... rejected me," she said, her w

y gut as I watched her. Her heartbeat picked up, loud in her chest, the nervous energy I'd expect from someone who kn

efore lifting her eyes to meet mine. Her gaze was steady despite the tension between us. I held her there

one. Just a raw vulnerability and a twinge of something else. Something that made my wolf stir mad

y. I'll kill you myself," I said, my words

lightly, but she nod

crossing my arms and keeping my gaze steady on her

eemed to freeze, staring back at me as though she was caught somewhere