His Father's Mate

A

I smooth down the hem of my worn out dress, my fingers are trembling slightly as I stand at the edge of the shaded garden. I'm not usually

ira says, her high-pitched voic

ng willow tree at the center of the courtyard. There are cushions in deep shades of crimson and gold, scattered across the grass, surrou

around her head. She looks every inch of magnificent, draped in a soft lilac gown that empha

ice is barely above a whisper. My heart is thudding lo

ured hand with long, pointy nails.

other servants hovering near the edges of the garden. They avoid

irmer now like she is scolding a

ing myself on the one opposite the Princess,

y simple, patched clothes. Princess Lira moves slowly and delicately as she pours two glasses of tea, she r

me well all these years, always quiet, always loyal. I've been c

n my stomach. "Your Highness,

served as my handmaid for a very long time. I should give you the c

ir. I look at the princess and trying to

t under

becoming more gentle and almost loving. She says, "The

ries are the Draevenmoor Pack. I get

whisper. "A sacrifice for peace. Zareth, their Alpha, is adamant on g

ut of my face. "But, Your Hi

as much as I adore my people, I can't fathom sacrificing my freedom for someone like Zareth." She tilts h

. "Me?" I barely manage to ask. May

of a small velvet box, in it

e yet impossibly detailed, they look like shooting stars. She holds them out to

ark your new role. You will take my place, Naya. You will be

ss, gripping the hem so tightly my knuckl

? You've been by my side for years, Naya. You know how I walk and how I speak. With the right dress, the right

ding in my ears. "Your Highnes

ade, sharp and final. "And you will. Do

ving me frozen. The garden feels smaller, the

bout it. No more scrubbing floors, no more hauling my gowns. You'll

with my throat tight, my v

matter? Zareth won't care, not if the treaty holds. And let

he jewels and accept Princess Lira's offer. I've spent my whole life being invisible an

he co

out?" I ask with

marter than you think, Naya. And if you p

None of them will meet my eyes. They all know, I realize. They've set

he diamonds are cool and heavy in my palm. "W

eauty, but now, she looks deceitful like she is l

are familiar to me. I push o

motions in check. I know my place in the pack, know the invisible line between the omegas an

so quiet it was almost lost

d to sway me. "You're not a fool, Naya. You know what this means for you. You can stay

ker of doubt. There was none. Her expression is calm and composed, her eye

?" I ask finally, m

off, gesturing vaguely to the courtyard around us. "What kind of life would you return to? The same life you've always

n my hands from endless work, the looks of pity or disdain from those who consider themselves above

g one set of chains for another. Only thes

ing into my tone. My parents are long gone so my

en care of. They'll live comfortably, free from the burdens of t

I can feel the pull of it, it is a clever

, my voice firmer now. Confid

assure you-the Draevenmoor Pack won't break the treaty over something as

ngs in the air, omi

x. "You're asking me to give up everything I know. My identity, my

ts, her tone soft but insistent. "To rise

the lamb going for the s

y ears, but they stirred s

t just a burden, Naya. It's an opportunity. You could be som

he says, her voice lighter now, almost casual. "But don't take too long. The D

d walks away, leaving m

e brisk, as if they couldn't bear to linger any longer. I

houghts-fear, anger, curiosity, a

hat is all I

as an omega for the

nown and risk everything fo

hadows across the courtyard, my heart slows into