LOGINFake crown. Wrong bride. Real mate bond....And one very unplanned pup. Leanna I was the princess’s shadow—her stand-in for speeches, signatures, and, apparently, the Alpha’s impostor bride. Cedric Raine needed a bride to end a war. I needed to survive. The crown was fake. The name wasn’t mine. But every touch on mating night? Terrifyingly real. He marked me, mated me, made me believe I wasn’t just a lie. Until the real princess came back. And he locked me in a cell. So I left—with his heir. Six years later, I don’t wear crowns—I build business empires. Now I return to his palace in heels, diamonds, and zero regrets. And when he sees my little boy with his eyes? The crown won’t be the only thing at my feet. Cedric She wasn’t the princess. I knew it the second she stepped into my court. But her scent, her fire, the way she trembled in my arms—that was real. I kept her because I couldn’t let her go. Even when the truth came for us, I chose silence to protect her. Now she’s back—with a new name, her own kingdom, and a child that looks just like me. And I’d burn mine down just to have her again.
View MoreSpeaking of the young king, he cannot be more than five years of age, and ever since he and Finn met, Alexander has been following my son around, besotted. Finn is being oddly tolerant, and during this three-week visit, he and the boy have become inseparable.“I almost feel that it is unfair for us to leave this child here,” I murmur when two days are left before our visit ends.Cedric is playing with my hair while I lie on my back against him, between his legs. He snorts. “We are not adopting him.”“I’m not saying we have to adopt him,” I argue. “But he lost his mother and all his relatives. He’s so isolated. What if he comes to visit us every couple of months? It will be good for him, and he’ll be able to build bonds with our kingdom, as well. Plus, it would be great for the future if he and Finn can become close friends.”My mate is silent, his fingers still toying with my hair. “I’ll think about it.”I pat his knee. “Great. I’ll tell Rothan to make arrangements. We’ll have Alexand
I made arrangements with the witches who worked on Erik’s palace to keep the temperature consistent. They’ve been willing to help us if we pay them handsomely, and I haven’t kept their powers limited to the castle. The witches are also in charge of casting their magic on the farmers’ lands so that they can grow more crops.I am resting, but I’m also working. It helps me forget the sharp grief that often lodges itself in my throat.But as the two-month mark passes, I feel content. The castle’s staff and the commoners who live in the villages have all been thrilled to have me back. It makes me realize that I didn’t see how much they cared about me before. Having a child playing in the castle has given a new life to the place, and the staff is having the time of their lives spoiling Finn.I lean on the balcony railing, looking out. Finn is running around with two children from the village. I have stressed to Cedric that I want my son to have playmates. Two of the artisans who are working
“I’m not wrong,” Jerry sighs. “Cassian said he was going to take her hostage and then get rid of her. He needed to know what she knew, and that was it. She’s long dead, Leanna.”I break into sobs, unable to stop myself. This is my fault. I dragged her into this.Two small hands cup my face. “Don’t cry, Mom. Please don’t cry.”Finn’s voice jerks me out of my despair temporarily. My sweet boy has shifted back. I hold him in my arms, trying to swallow my sobs. I hear him crying, as well. It takes a lot of effort to force myself to calm down. This is not the time to grieve.I look at Erik. “What about her mother?”My voice is thick, and Jerry says, “I’ll keep looking after her. Even if Maya isn’t here anymore, I will keep my end of the bargain and give her mother the best life I possibly can.”Erik puts his hand on my shoulder. “You should go home, Leanna. You barely survived. Cedric nearly lost his mind. Go back to the North and rebuild your life. Maya is gone, but your son is here, and
“What’s wrong with him?”“He’s been like this ever since he saw you,” Harriet tells me sadly. “He refuses to shift back.”“Finn.” I touch his nose, his forehead, forcing him to look at me. “Finn, I want to see your face.”He whimpers again, and Cedric says, “Give him some time. He hasn’t left your side in days.”“What happened to me?”Everything is very hazy right now. My memories are in chunks and bits, all over the place. I need somebody to help me piece them together.“You don’t remember?” Cedric asks cautiously. “Vivian attacked you.”Vivian.Her very name sends a shock to my system. And then the memories start flooding back. The attack. Jerry.“Where’s Jerry?”“He’s fine,” Harriet assures me. “He woke up two days after the attack. You took two weeks, my dear. The royal healers have been working on you around the clock. You nearly died.” She wipes her eyes. “We didn’t know if you would ever wake up. Your injuries were life-threatening, and whatever Vivian gave you, it temporarily
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