Still, I would be foolish to turn down a summons from the King.“I will be there at once,” I say to the messenger, who slips back into the hallway. As he goes, he leaves the door open behind him.Bethany starts to close it, yet before she can, a pair of feminine hands grips the door and pushes it ba
Stepping into Caleb’s personal chambers feels like stepping into another world. Every square inch of the room is filled with decadent displays of wealth, from the gold and crystal chandeliers, to the elaborate sconces filled with fresh flowers, to the jewel-encrusted walls and the shining, golden fu
I’m horny as hell, about to be frustrated as hell, if he means what he says.“I’m sorry?” I ask, thinking perhaps I misheard.He presses the heel of his palm hard against his dick as if trying to ease the throbbing erection I can see tenting his pants.“I have a meeting,” he says again. “I stepped o
The next few days, I mostly spend pacing back and forth in my room, worrying about my pack while healing from the rest of my injuries.Bethany works on the sewing machine as she watches me. She’s made it a habit of personalizing my dresses when she has no other work duties to attend to. I’m happy fo
Of all the things I expected Bethany to tell me, this is somewhere near the bottom. Even after hearing the words, I don’t understand. She has to be mistaken. “Surely he’s visited other consorts,” I say. I know all about his virile stamina and strength. I’d be surprised that even one woman could sa
The next day, the best tailors in the kingdom are brought in to help design new dresses for the entirety of the harem. With the Alpha of every pack arriving soon, the advisors thought it best that the harem wow and stun even more so than usual. A beautiful, dazzling harem means a strong King and a
Bethany stays near the door, watchful but silent. The tailor clucks his tongue in disapproval. “Well, no wonder you are last. You are the plainest of the bunch, aren’t you? Entirely average.” “I beg your pardon?” I say, a touch of anger sliding into my voice. “The King has his choice of all th
I try to put Caleb’s cold shoulder to the back of my mind so I can focus on the matter at hand. Still wearing this giant tarp of a dress, I turn to Bethany. “I can’t possibly wear this to the gala,” I say. Bethany gives me a once over. “We can fix it, I’m sure. Somehow.” She touches the side of
“Caleb…” I begin, speaking softly. He hums, acknowledging he is listening. I’m nervous but determined. While I don’t wish to leave Caleb, I can’t stay here, pretending like everything is okay while he proceeds with his engagement. “You promised you would grant my request…” “Don’t ask again,”
“Perhaps you have forgotten, father, but I am the king of this kingdom now,” Caleb growls. “As such, I am the only one who can command or punish the members of my harem. Harper is not just a member, but my favored.” “She was looking up information about Evan, Caleb,” Hector replies, just as furiou
In the library, I manage to narrow down the dates to find Caleb’s coronation. Then, moving backwards, I try to discover the exact moment the news stopped talking about Evan, by searching for the first time that he’s mentioned. I find Prince Evan’s obituary, which sounds very by the business and no
Caleb once more sits on his throne in front of the Alpha Council, staring down at them in judgement and distrust. His earlier meeting with Harper had only helped him somewhat, but now that they were separated, Caleb’s dark thoughts were returning with a vengeance, somehow even worse than before. W
“Actually,” the guard begins, glancing between the two of us. “King Caleb has already given Harper permission to enter his chambers as she desires.” Annabelle’s entire face flashes bright red. I very nearly smirk with satisfaction, but I bite it back at the last minute. It wouldn’t do to be smug
Tristan’s eyes widen slightly. “Did he truly say that?” “I heard it,” Caleb snaps. He knows what Tristan is thinking. This could be the paranoia again, creating whispers where there were none. Maybe he had right to worry. Perhaps Caleb had imagined it. But what if he hadn’t? “Your brother’s
Caleb hates the Alpha Council, now more than ever before. The last time they convened, the entire capital had been besieged by bears after the betrayal of Caleb’s Gamma. This already painted the council in a negative light for Caleb, even though it had no real fault in what happened. Now however,
“I can’t?” Caleb steps around Leah, ignoring her and her pale face entirely to focus primarily on me. He leans close, danger in his eyes, jaw clenched, teeth grit together. “Do not ever tell me what I can and cannot do, consort. Or have you forgotten yourself?” Maybe I have. With everything Caleb
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Leah spits at me. “I didn’t admit to anything.” “You don’t have to,” I tell her. “I can see the truth in your eyes. I know how much you despise me. I never thought you would go so low as to terrorize me like this. Even then, when I suspected and everyone told