All Chapters of Annora: The Alpha's Prey, Beta's Obsession : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

ANNORAMixed feelings.As we walked down the hallway with Kairel’s hand on the small of my back, guiding me through like I was the most pathetic creature he’d ever set eyes on. I couldn’t tell what it was I felt.The shock was underproccessed and I barely held on by a thread. Who tried to frame me and why? It made no sense at all. It made no sense. And Aegon having all of them leave the scene only made it worse. Jeez. What the hell was happening? Kairel had played directly into my plans, but he’d done it too fast.Announcing us and outing me so easily would do nothing but put targets on my back. His reputation called for that and more.“Amoral?”I snapped out of my thoughts and looked up at Kairel’s skeptical eyes. Feeling like my soul had just crashed into my body, I mentally noted the surroundings and found that we stood directly in front of his chamber.“Come on,” he ushered. My heart thumped, then sank into my stomach. Kairel’s touch suddenly felt like rubbing against steel— a to

ANNORAThe fire has licked off a nice portion of the dress, stealing its beauty away by a considerable amount and I just stood there, oscillating between thoughts and actions.The maids looked at me like a mistake, their judgments so heavy that I could almost trip over it. Lady Wendeline glared at me and oh, I was glad no knives were near.Those eyes looked like she wouldn’t hesitate to kill. “I am sorry…” I said in a squeaky voice. “It was never my intention to…do that to you. I am so sorry.”My words lingered in the air and a cold chill took over the room, making bumps rise on my skin. The next words from Lady Wendeline only sent my fear through the roof. “Leave us,” She ordered, leaving me to wonder if I was a part of the ‘us’ she’d mentioned. Oh, jeez. Lady Agnes spared me one last sympathetic look before heading out quietly.I clenched my toes in fear, feeling a rumbling sensation at the depth of my stomach and lump in my throat. Still, I tried to maintain a stoic exterior, not

AEGONAs I stood across the room, my eyes locked onto the vision in red. Annora. Sin. I couldn't believe my eyes. She looked... stunning. The dress hugged her curves in all the right places, and her white-blond hair shone like gold in the dim light. She radiated confidence, her head held high as she scanned the room.I didn’t expect that Kairel would be bold enough to have her there, despite Wendeline’s apprehension. There were a lot of things I didn’t expect.Apparently, I wasn’t the only one taken aback by the woman on the mask. Everyone was, but not many of them could recognize her. I did without trying.I felt a pang of surprise, followed by a twinge of jealousy that picked me up. Who was this woman, and why was she with Kairel? I didn't like it—not one bit.I made my way through the crowd, my eyes never leaving Annora’s face. As I approached, I could see the fear lurking in her eyes. She averted her gaze, her cheeks flushing.“Kairel, Annora,” I said, my voice low and smooth. “Y

ANNORA“Can you even believe this?” Sora asked for the hundredth time as she ran around the room, throwing her arms happily in the air.Her childlike excitement always increased the buzz, and for a moment, I was able to drift my mind away from the impending doom. All sorts of bad things were about to happen.I could just feel it. My eyes roamed the walls of the room and a sigh ripped from my throat. “Tell me about it. It’s beautiful,” I responded truthfully, faking a smile.Sora was just recovering. I wouldn't want her to have something else to worry about so early. “You must have charmed him so much to have him go this length for you,” Sora said as she settled next to me on the bed. “I feel bad for the poor thing, he must think he’s found the love of his life, but how wrong is he? They deserve everything coming for them!” Despite the knot in my stomach, I had to agree. Everyone in Devil’sDen deserved what was coming for them. What was wrong with a little lie or a little deception?

ANNORAMy hand crashed against his cheek before I could tell what was happening. The realization of what I’d done wrapped around my neck and I reluctantly collected my hand, clasping it as I took in his expression.First, it was shock , then it was deliberation, his brow giving the faintest movement as though he had asked himself if I’d just done that.I had the same question. Did I just…do that? I staggered back as my heart burst into a frenzy. The images of what he would and could to me spread in my mindspace faster than venom.Fear enveloped me, and I could barely look into his darkened eyes, orbs holding so much malice I feared I’d disappear. Maintaining a sweet line between running away and being brave, I headed out of the room, my heart almost tearing itself out of my chest.I slapped the Alpha, and he’d killed people for less. The way he looked at me, he would never let that slide. The judgemental looks I got from maids and guards alike had become routine, it didn’t faze me any