a's

never heard anything like the thunderous sound of my heartbeat in my ears. The two weak

gna

s. I had a bit of Ryder in me. The Alpha. The guy who had claimed me in the moonlight fell silent i

ree days since

him. He had to know. I was not

ters, my slippers barely keeping my feet in place. I moved more quickly than my head could process thanks

trance to Ryder's private rooms, two guards stood

e above a whisper as I cont

nswered, "He's

. It is

brow went up. "You must

a thing he could call u

my heart in my throat, I backed away and

ince the evening he cradled me in his bed, gave

~~

day. I couldn't continue to hide. I would confront the

S

eo

t was nicely styled, and she was tall. She exude

ing on the ivory sofa in the sunroom.

antly, she exclaimed, "Well, look who

alk to the Al

inned.

but her tone was mocking. Like a h

're getting ready for a wedd

n't tak

with purposeful steps. Her scent was overwhel

. It's over, whatever game you were playing with him. I'm here now.

more forcefully tha

as I said, "I'm not here to play

ear as she pushed closer.

ck, gave a kind smile, a

smi

thing I would later

p that was growing under my shirt. It was there, but I

soon becom

touched it. "I don't kno

silence i

sty, I could

is strutting aro

er keeps me l

ve a child grow

ad t

it kil

~

Water, food, and clothing. The test for pregnancy. I put everyt

r that, including food items

to make u

ent

close,

ing hand in hand across the traini

ared to

uy who huddled

muttered my name

n has v

ng sick once more. I didn't

athroom, I lay on the chilly tile flo

s by

rly a

couldn'

n this

any

ere I had hidden my

hand over

was

efore t

beginning to appear, I pre

you safe,"

over my shoulder

rees shouted promises of freedom and danger,

orr