E MCCA

nder my strict orders to prepare a thin, nut

thing had grown noticeably deeper, the violent rattling in his lungs smoothing into a steady, r

ill hit before midnigh

on revived, the body's natural immune system would ignite a fierce counter-attack against the remaining toxins. It w

als that, according to my mother's geography notes, grew naturally in

estate-at least enough to command the guards and move freely acros

more practical, immediate ch

his own waste was how those grotesque bedsores had formed in the first place, and

eyes and trembling but quick hands. I ordered them to gather every rol

measuring, cutting, and stitching the heavy cotton into thick, layered abso

ght of the cloth pads in my hands. Her face flushed a violent crimson

orn mistress, perform such disgracef

rely unbothered. "To a true healer, bodily functions are merely biological processes.

ing the sterile pads without disturbing his bandaged

" I asked, my voice c

y," the taller

the second stam

You will change these pads every three hours, wash them in boiling water, and report every change in his condition directly to me. If a single word re

e lethality behind my quiet warning, and

who accepted my unconventional orders without question and executed them under pr

y the window, pouring myself a cup of cool water as I al

Alpha warrior-being systematically torture

and that mysterious "Dr. Linden"

he Imperial Court-did not want Holden Carlisle IV to ever open his eyes. They wanted him to die slowly, qui

nforeseen variable dropped directly onto their chessboard. They would undoubtedly move

ught, a razor-thin s

packet from my sleeve-now half-em

ust have plunged the Montgomery household into sheer humi

er body. This would prevent her from producing the "scent mark" needed to please an Alph

tgomery was an extremely proud Alpha who placed great importance on his image. What expression would he wear when he

icture Kandace's

losing her virginity before the wedding to pleas

he most fitti

houghts back

n, clearing my mind. In the distance, the maple grove loomed like a silent beast in