HE'S MY MATE

I spun, dropping immediately into the submissive posture every servant learned their first day—head down, shoulders curved, hands clasped. My heart slammed against my ribs.

"Cleaning, Alpha. I was assigned to your quarters."

Heavy footsteps crossed the threshold. I kept my eyes fixed on the floor, watching his boots approach.

"By whom?"

"Head Maid Margot, Alpha."

Calling my enemy Alpha gives me the ick. I'm fuming with anger, I want to kill this bastard and be gone from the place.

"I don't recognize you." His voice was deep, cold. The voice that had haunted my nightmares for four years.

"I'm new, Alpha. I arrived three weeks ago."

The footsteps came closer. Too close. I could feel the heat radiating from him, could smell leather and pine and something darker underneath. My wolf, silent for so long, stirred.

No. Not now. Not ever.

"What's your name?"

"Isora, Alpha."

A pause. Long enough that I wondered if I'd made a mistake, if somehow he knew—

"Look at me, Isora."

The command in his voice left no room for refusal. Every instinct screamed at me to run, but I couldn't. Not without blowing everything.

Slowly, I raised my eyes.

Sea blue met hazel.

And the world shattered.

It hit me like a physical blow….a snap so violent it drove the air from my lungs. Heat flooded my veins, every nerve ending igniting at once. The mate bond crashed into place with the force of a tidal wave, pulling me toward him with a need so primal.

 It terrified me.

My wolf roared to life for the first time in four years, clawing desperately toward the surface, screaming MINE MINE MINE—

No. No, this couldn't be—

Kira shut up! I snapped inwardly but the damn wolf was acting on its own.

"Are you ill?"

His voice sounded distant, muffled by the roaring in my ears. I gripped the edge of the desk behind me, my knuckles white, fighting to stay upright. Fighting to keep my expression neutral even as everything inside me tore itself apart.

"I—" My voice came out strangled. 

"Forgive me, Alpha. I haven't eaten yet today."

He studied me, those cold blue eyes missing nothing. This close, I could see the sharp planes of his face, the slight scar along his jaw, the way his black hair fell across his forehead. This close, I could imagine how easily those strong hands could snap my neck.

How easily they'd torn my father's throat.

The hatred steadied me. Gave me something to hold onto while the bond tried to drag me under.

"Margot starves her workers now?" There was no sympathy in his tone, just observation.

"No, Alpha. I simply haven't had time."

His gaze traveled over my face, and I fought not to flinch. "You don't look like a typical servant."

"I don't understand, Alpha."

"Your bearing. Your hands." Before I could react, he caught my wrist, turning my palm upward. His touch burned. The bond sang at the contact, begging for more.

Kira behave please!

 "No calluses. You haven't done hard labor."

I pulled back carefully, respectfully. "I'm a quick healer, Alpha."

"Are you." It wasn't a question. He circled me slowly, and I felt like prey being stalked.

 "What pack are you from?"

The lie came smoothly. I'd practiced it a thousand times. "I had no pack, Alpha. I'm a rogue. I was captured at your borders three weeks ago."

"Rogues don't carry themselves like warriors."

My blood ran cold, okay he's smart I'd give him that. "I'm not a warrior, Alpha."

"No?" He stopped in front of me again, close enough that I had to tilt my head back to meet his eyes. Close enough that the bond pulled so hard I wanted to scream.

 "Then why do I feel like you're planning how to kill me right now?"

Time stopped.

Did he know? Had I given myself away already?

The door burst open, shattering the moment.

"Alpha, the council is waiting." A tall man with dark hair and a Beta's presence filled the doorway, his eyes immediately finding me.

 "New servant?"

"Apparently." Adrian's gaze hadn't left my face.

The Beta frowned. "Margot's choice?"

"So she says."

"Interesting." The Beta's tone suggested he found it annoying. 

 "We really do need to go. The Forest River delegation won't wait much longer."

Adrian stepped back finally, and I could breathe again. "You're dismissed. Return this evening to prepare the room for the night."

"Yes, Alpha." I dropped into a bow, desperate to escape, but his voice stopped me at the door.

"Isora."

I turned, keeping my eyes down. "Alpha?"

"If you're planning to steal from me, I should inform you that the last servant who tried lost her hand." His tone was conversational, almost pleasant. "I'm far less forgiving with those who betray my trust."