Все главы The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret: Глава 61 - Глава 70

I turn off all the taps and then rush out of the bathroom and across the room, yanking open the door to the children’s suite, praying that Auden isn’t here – that he’s busy rallying his troops to war –I’m holding my breath as I storm into the children’s room, my eyes immediately moving to the young nurse helping divest Vivi of her jewels. Relief rushes through my chest as Coco lets out a panicked squawk. Niall rushes for me, clearly upset, his arms wrapping right around my leg.“Get out of here,” I snap at the nurse.She stands straight and stares at me, eyes wide.“Go!” I shout, pointing at the door. “Right now! Go!”She drops the jewels on Vivi’s bed and does as I say, hurrying out of the room. I wait for the outer door to shut before I turn to my kids.“Mama?” Niall asks, looking up at me, his voice all creaky. “What&rs

I lay in bed for longer than I should, crying into my pillow, my mind mysteriously blank.Or maybe not so mysteriously - maybe it makes complete sense that my body shut down in the face of the realization that I just sparked a war, sent my sister into exile, doomed my children to a life in a world that will crush them, betrayed my only ally here, and received a not-so-tacit sexual summons from a man I both fear and cannot stand.But eventually, my mind comes back to me. Slowly, my tears abate and then stop. I lift my head, taking a deep, shuddering breath, trying hard to pull myself together.It doesn’t come easily, composure. But with time I stand and go into the bathroom to clean myself up, waiting until my face isn’t red anymore. My sharp-eyed children will notice that.When my face is clear, if not still tight with grief, I cross the room towards the children’s suite, glancing at the balcony and wondering when the heck it got so dark.But when I turn the handle, the door doesn’t b

My eyebrows raise at the term. “An…an alliance?”Auden nods, steady and sure. “Can I trust you?”“Can I trust you!?” My eyes flash wide. “Auden if you’re offering me some kind of deal to get me to stay -“He nods. “I am doing that.”“Auden, no!” I shake my head, vehement. “I am not living in this -““Stop running, Everleigh!” He snaps, tossing out a hand out to the dark landscape. “God, all you do is run!” I swallow hard, my lip trembling. Because he…doesn’t know just how right he is.“Where would you even go!?” He continues, apparently too angry to notice my reaction. My anger rises to meet his.“Back!” I shout, working around the tightness in my throat and gesturing too, tossing my hand East, towards the sea

BOOK TWO**Midwinter, Five and a Half Years Ago***I moan, wrapping my arms fast around Auden’s neck, sloshing what’s left of my whiskey over his shoulder as he kisses me in the empty guard shack where we’re all alone on Midwinter night. But he doesn’t notice the whiskey soaking his shirt – or if he does, he clearly doesn’t give a damn –Instead, he wraps one arm tight around me, his other hand pressing tight to my lower back, pulling me closer against him –I give into it with abandon, my wolf howling her head off with want, kissing this man – this stranger – for all that I’m worth –At some point our cups drop to the floor but neither of us notice – I honestly don’t think I can hear anything with the sound of my heartbeat pounding in my ears. Auden’s mouth on mine has me all frantic – my breath coming in short gasps, my lips opening for him, everything moving so fast – his tongue pressing hot against mine, my hand lost in his hair, twisting the dark strands of it around my fingers –

Mahl leaves me at the Queen’s Chambers with another big sloppy kiss.I wipe my mouth on my sleeve as I push the door shut, wondering how on earth Angeline ever liked that. But then again, if you’re in love with someone – or even just attracted to them – it is different.I sigh, leaning back against the door, looking around this room in which I have spent so many hours in years past. The memories come flooding back, hitting me like a rip tide and dragging me under into some very real grief.Angeline and I were so…happy here. I look over at the bed with its plum-colored velvet hangings, where we were sleeping the morning Angeline woke up with a gasp, realizing that she was pregnant. God, she was so happy – so excited…I let my eyes fall shut, forcing the memory away, because where that pregnancy lead her…No. I can’t go there. I have to keep myself together.I exhale slowly, opening my eyes and letting my gaze travel around the room, looking for a good memory to replace the difficult on