The Alpha's Claim

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he'll be out of o

ater. The voice in the hall was unmistakable: my stepmother, Lycril, discussing somethin

ry of those I called family. My mother's love had shielded me once, but her death had left me defenseless. Now, in my

Setting the plate down, I dried my hands, tiptoeing to hear more. I needed

l's voice dripped with satisfaction. "It

ched. Made so

e: "Once he sees her, it's his call. And t

read twisted in my stomach. My pulse quickened, an

wasn't

nzo's voice slid through the silence, his gaze

rnered me, my body recoiling

was hot against my cheek. "Just look at you," he whispered, his hand tracin

ed over me, igniting a disgus

hard slap across his face. The sting in my palm was worth it as shock

, eyes blazing, and I could see it-the revenge gl

eyes narrowing as she took in the scene. "And you," she s

Her hand struck my face, a slap that lef

his smirk returning. "Maybe you shou

out of things that don't concern you," she hissed, reaching for her favorite horsewhip. I could see Enzo's sm

hardly see past the pain as she brought down the whip across my back. I bit my lip, d

," he commanded, his presence looming in the doorway, his eye

t bored. "We don't want her to look too bruised. We'

hilling me to the bo

onquests, his ruthlessness toward enemies, the chilling fate of those

as he forced me to look into his cold, unfeeling eyes. "You're goi

out a plea, my words trembling. "Please, don't send me th

gh-pitched and mocking. "You'll leave tonight, Freya. Th

broken pieces of myself lying in their shadows. My head spun, the realizati

t the cold floor, I could hear them, th

l's words echoed: "Let's hope she lasts the night.

terrified beat. And somewhere, deep in th

ive. And when I did,