MATED TO THE ALPHA I HATED

n I got home. Thick parchment, deep crimson

need to

to summon me. Only one place in the

suitcase and a shattered heart. I left behind my family,

ratch; away from the hur

I th

led as I finally

or the coronation of his heir. Failure to appear w

I scream

aved as five years of suppressed memories came rushing back: the laughter in the hallways, the cold

face in my hands. An act of defiance meant

come home. They were dragging me

oor. He was being crowned. The boy who destroy

rating in my throat. For five years, we h

empty room, my eyes hardening. "Fine. B

ad to walk back into that lion's den, I wasn't going as

s I could. I just wanted to go

the plane touched down, my nerves were stretched thin.

port, ignoring the way my chest tightened with every ste

polished glass and quiet luxury and

the receptionist, sliding my c

me before handing over the keycar

nothing to calm me. As the doors slammed, my ref

HBAC

books to my chest as lauhter

want someone like you?" t

snappiing me bac

, my nerves were a live wire. I

e of whiskey and a steak from room service. I didn't bother with a robe. I

zzed on the

am

Call me wh

es and the way I pretended not to flinch at loud noises. He had no idea what a cor

the phone

unded ten m

the air. The guy standing there was young, human, and clearly caught off guard. He was hol

id under

not the broken girl or the loyal girlfriend. I just wante

he stammered, his puls

rame, a slow, predatory smi

said, stepping bac

silver clinked. He turned to leave, but I stepped into his

ers tracing the line of his uniform. "I

him toward the silk sheets, I wasn't thinking about the coronatio

g just before midnight; the hour wol

dress. The silk felt like liquid ice against my skin. The slit ran high up my thigh, and the ba

ection. Blood-red li

ed to the mirror. "Specifically, the

ed and headed straight

carpets. It looked like a wedding, which made me want to

Av

ghost. I turned, my heels clicking

father's eyes took in my dress, the mark on my back, and the way I carried myself not li

t pride clashing with his shock. "The Alpha said you were summo

eycard, the plastic glinting in the sun. "I have a room with a view an

out, her eyes watering. "You lo

reach. "And I'm here for the show. Nothing more. Don't expect me

g there in the dust

an to beat. A low, primal thrum that vibrated up

red wolves hit me like a physical wall. But there was one scent,

s, suddenly let out a deafenin

AT

where Jaxson Hale stood with a crown in h