Marked By The Ruthless Alpha King

e Whitmo

he solemn atmosphere of the mate ceremony. I stood on the dais in a simple w

genetic defect that made me different

ed me a weakness that brought shame to the Whitmore name. I had learned to ignore those vo

ed forward and

Hayes, do you accept Annamarie Whitmore a

l silent. All eyes

tried to calm the un

bond. A fated mate was a blessin

e had always maintained the appearance of acceptance, responded to my feelings, an

given him enough honor and responsibility to

y, I didn't wan

would happen after

ore family. I would become nothing more than an abandoned piece, a

t let tha

s as I looked at Jared. For a moment, I waited fo

ion on his face made the uneas

crowd and spoke in a clear, steady voice lo

ect you, Annamarie W

's words fell, m

d blurred into a distant noise. The pain from the broken mate

cannot shift, you cannot sense the emotions of our wolves, and you cannot carry the responsibilities expected

others exchanged knowing glances. A few even nodded in agreement, as

ingers against the edge of my dress, us

ouder, and every word carried the same conclusion: a

t, Carrie rus

ried. "I know this hurts. Seeing my siste

. But the moment she came closer, memories fro

uniform before a pack gathering, then cried and apologized when everyo

ade me take a step back. I looke

trying to comfort you. Why are you looking at me like that?"

mediately looked at

d her sister

only tryin

why Jared mad

pers gre

ople who had just witnessed my rejection now

pond, the Elder's

re, you must acce

hope I had for Jared disappeared comp

hitmore, accept

ds, the final connection bet

ood filled my mouth, but I swallowed it. I refused to collap

toward Carrie. The crowd surrounded

the dais and heade

s appeared in front of me. Beside him stood

greed, as if he were looking at a valuable

, smiling. "Come here. I ha

e him. The man's eyes lingered on me with undisguised

In his eyes, I was no longer a daughter, but a re

ed for my arm, I stepped

Cornelius's

nger gentle. "You should be grateful. After losing the futu

t deeper tha

rything that had happened tonight, after Jared had publicly rejected me, I refused

ched for me again,

he shout erup

mmediately, closing the di

h the crowd, ignoring the shocked v

hey caught me. I pushed through the s

ead. A place even Rogues av

e's possession. If I ran, at least

he darkness. Behind me, the people chasi

The footsteps behind me suddenly stopped. Their voices faded into the distan

nd the path behind me vanished completely. Branches scratched my skin, and roo

ep, but I kept moving. Survival w

ion faded completely. The laughter, music, and cheers from the ceremony disappe

rful scent

ood scent mixed with som

top

ng echoed through the trees. I followed t

ons reflected a silver glow. Silver blades, weapons designed to kill werew

noticed every attack before it reached him. He moved instantly, his strikes pr

hed into the oak tree behind me. The impact forced m

y gaze turned toward me. Includin

before walking toward me. His expression remained col

the middle of the Forbidden Forest during an assassi

wolf appear in a place even

was low an

ked at me carefully.

ng, but the rejection, betrayal, and fe

d, and my body l

ng arms catch me, their touch cold and steady as