All Chapters of The Princess in the Shadows: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

LyraThe shared maid quarters were a chaotic swirl of movement as the maids rushed around preparing for the Alpha’s arrival. Lyra sat on the edge of her cot, straightening her new dress and trying to ensure every crease was perfect.The anticipation and friendly competition amongst them was undeniable. Lyra hadn’t said a word, simply observing, trying to stay out of the way.This would be her chance to finally belong somewhere, and make herself useful. As a maid, she could earn trust, and discover what she truly needed to know, what Aunt Kyline sent her here for.A knock on the door made her pause. The girls froze, wide eyes darting to each other. The single, confident knock came again before the door swung open. The other’s faces paled with recognition. Lyra's breath caught as she saw her for the first time. The Mistress of Shadows filled the doorway. Her black hair, sleek and straight, fell to her shoulders in a glossy wave. A long, delicate hand rested on the doorframe, slender fi

LyraLyra’s breath was shallow and erratic as Alpha Veyron loomed over her. She couldn’t move. Couldn’t speak. Her lips parted, but her voice refused to come. The silence was absolute. Noone dared breathe.His chest rose and fell heavily as he stared her down, the golden intensity of his eyes burning into her soul. Those eyes… they felt so familiar. Where…? “Who are you?” He demanded again.His gaze roamed her face, his body rigid and trembling with restraint. The connection between them thrummed, wrapping tighter with every passing moment, drowning her in its rawness. Warmth spread through her abdomen.Her mouth opened again. Say something, she begged herself. Anything.But then, a graceful hand curved over Veyron’s broad shoulder with deliberate care. “Alpha,” the Mistress intoned.It took him a heartbeat too long to respond. Slowly, almost reluctantly, his head turned toward her, the hard lines of his jaw flexing as though it took all his will to drag his focus away.The Mistress

Lyra As the scorpion attacked Lyra, the door burst open. In a single breath, Alpha Veyron had annihilated the creature. Lyra’s chest tightened, relief mixing with fear. Was he a man or a monster? Whatever he was, he exuded a raw power that sent a shiver down her spine.  Her heart pounded as he turned to her, his piercing gaze locking onto hers. She wanted to thank him, to say something, but the words caught in her throat. And, she shrank back instinctively. He stepped closer, and she sidestepped to move away. “Wh- what was that?” she managed to stammer. 

Veyron Her past was irrelevant. None had marked her, none had mated her. He knew why. She was destined for him, created for him. The primal need roaring in Veyron’s mind drowned out any shred of rational thought, his wolf howling for action. He didn’t understand why she kept denying it, couldn’t fathom her resistance when every response of her body told him she felt it too. He had tasted her desire on her lips.  Her protests were meaningless. Once he claimed her, she would see. He would break through her walls, show her that she had no choice but to submit to him. And then the bond

Lyra Lyra blinked. “What?” Kyline spoke slowly. “Your aunt Maris had visions, though not as complete or clear as your mother’s.” Lyra froze, her breath catching in her throat. “My mother?” Kyline nodded, her face grave. “Yes, your mother saw that you would play an important role in the prophecy to help bring back the Moon Goddess. That’s why we were sent there.” Lyra’s pulse thundered in her ears. She had spent so long mourning a mother she barely remembered, never knowing what secrets had died with her. What else was her aunt hiding?  “Why?” she rasped. “Why me?”