close in on her. Every time she closed her eyes, the memories came rushing back; she had worked so hard to forget h

ootfall made her breath catch.

ttitude was suddenly replaced by a seriousness that made her stomach turn. His jaw was firm, his

le her pulse raced faster than she

s voice laden with feeling. Though I have no right to seek your pardon, I cannot continue fleeing the

r, you don't get to do this. After all, y

, "I never wanted to hurt you." Every damn

er gaze. She could not, no, she would not let him

s falling like a too-great burden. You

. Ophelia, I never wanted to leave you. I was cornered. But I promise yo

am, to shove him away, yet a part of her

ut and seized her wrist tightly. His voice

er arm free from his hold. Tyler, I no longer trust you. You are the cause of my

voice break. Like he had done

ped and stepped back. Voice

ught between the past and the present. This was the guy to whom I had former

around the big, oval table in the grand hall, the Lycan Kings traded looks,

yes sparkling with pleasure as he observed the interaction. His dark hair

n to watch." Though his speech was quiet, there was a touch of m

said nothing, their eyes darting between Ophelia and Tyler. None of them, howev

was oppressive; the burden of their focus was unbearable. She refused to reveal weakness and k

g." Watching them, emotionally speaking, rip one another apart. It'

t; she was under observation. She despised it and could sense the King's gaze on h

r went on. She had never been one for weakness, yet in this time, sh

readable as he watched her. Was he watching her to see whether she

ould

hardly made it back to her room. Needing room to

was dense with an uncomfortable quiet, almost suffocating. A reminder of her

s she got to her door. The haunting, sad wails broke

howls tonight felt unusual. They sounded more urgent and louder, almost as if to warn her. She

he window; the night was too black to see anything. Only the shadow

her for some reason. She could not get rid of the impression that something was

rtyard. Beyond the garden, a figure moved in the shadows. Ophelia

not by h

oughts were far from the calm night scene, the wind ruffled her hair. Inside, the palace walls seemed to be closin

her reverie. Seeing the new arrival ma

in disheveled waves over his brow. His reputation had come before him; he was a rogue wolf among the Lycan Kings, dreaded for his clevernes

it was more than just strength; a darkness hung upon him. It was

ge that made her heart quicken. His eyes swept over her, absorbing ever

gripped her hands at her sides.

eral. "Oh, you are not. You are not, but

ion between them was instant and strong, but Ophelia fl

aid, "I've been watching you." You're more than simply a pawn in their game. You a

at you're talking about," she answered,

h, I believe you do," Callum responded, locking eyes wi

Ophelia in the cold with his words reverberating in her head. Was

om with an air of authority; yet tonight, something felt different; the tension was sharp enough to cut with a knife. The othe

h but with a hint of something else,

darting to Callum, who was fixedly watching her. His presen

Apart from the rogue wolves, we also confront other thr

out loud sent a shiver down her spine. She was the key to som

are already in position. What about the lady you have all been safeguar

sed. Could

he dark for far too long. Your bloodline... is linked to something far older than the Lyca

ined silent, his eyes darting to the other Kings and his ja

entre of this game for centuries." You are not only a wife, a pawn, or a p

deny it, to leave, but something deep inside

ucian, but his expres

the kingdom, Ophelia," Callum said, his voice

n on her chest. She had come here for a purpose, one far more