The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret

I step inside the tiny garden nook that’s lit only by firefly glow, admiring the white roses that climb all over the walls. I lower my face to a bloom, taking in its thick spicy scent, completely distracted as my fingers drift over the silky petals.So I don’t notice the shadow that blocks my only exit until I hear his growl behind me.I twist, surprised –And my stomach drops when I see the gigantic Alpha standing a few feet away. Six and a half feet tall, he’s built like he’s made from granite, with wide, muscular shoulders above a powerful form. The beauty of his brutal face is marred by a scar that passes through his left eyebrow, continuing down his cheek to disappear into his thick beard.That flaw in no way takes away from the raw power emanating from this Alpha, who is as much beast as he is man.He levels a dangerous glare at me, prowling forward into the light that glints off of the finely wrought crown that sits on his head, tangling in the wild hair that falls to his should

My legs propel me further into the maze of hedges and plants, my breath tearing at my lungs as I flee from the Alpha chasing me – a man so powerful he could tear me limb from limb with his bare hands -I hear laughter as he draws near – which just makes me gasp for more air, makes me push harder. But a touch on my back, then a brush of his hand against the bare skin above my dress –I shriek as I feel him gaining on me and drive myself to a final burst of speed –But it’s a wasted effort. His body slams into mine.A scream rips from me as I feel myself falling, raising my arms to protect my head, my body going rigid in anticipation –But the King wraps his arms around me as I fall, twisting in the air so that I land hard his own flesh instead of the sharp gravel of the path.He’s laughing, then, a cruel, joyful, hungry laugh that reignites my fear. As soon as I realize that I’m unharmed, I rip at the arms that hold me to him, trying to free myself –“Oh, no,” he scolds, spinning his bo

Auden frowns at the plate of dinner in front of him, not touching it. He glances at his father a few seats away, eating lustily and laughing with the pack of Alpha Lords who have come to celebrate the selection of his bride. Every few minutes the King glances at the doors to the great hall, waiting for her to come through.But Auden knows that something is off. As he sits watching his father watch the door, Auden taps the table with his forefinger, thinking it through. Something, in his gut, rings wrong about the situation.And it all starts with that girl.Everleigh. Celestial of the De Silva pack. Eldest daughter, but not Selene, a little piece of gossip he’d picked up in conversation this evening after she inexplicably left the ball with her sister, wanting “a moment” that has now stretched into an hour. According to gossip, Everleigh had given up her position as Selene of her pack in favor of her younger sister years ago. An almost unheard-of choice, for an elder sister to give up

“I’m sorry, sir –“ the boy gasps, shrinking away. “We’re told to obey Celestial orders without question –“ his lip starts to tremble in fear and guilt.Auden just growls and drops the boy’s arm, reaching into his pocket to grab some coins, which he slips into the boy’s hand. “Tell no one that we’ve been here and no one that she left. Share those coins with the boys inside, pass the instructions on to them. If you all stay silent, there will be more.”“Yes sir!” the boy quips, his face bright now.“I’m serious, boy,” Auden continues, snapping his fingers in the boy’s face to make him focus. “There will be consequences for all of you if you disobey. As far as anyone knows, you all fell asleep. You know nothing of anyone leaving the stables tonight. Even if they flog you for it. Yes?”The boy hesitates and then nods.Auden nods back to the boy, dismissing him as his Betas come forward leading their mounts. When they’ve led the horses outside and climbed into their saddles, Auden signals f

**Midwinter, Five and a Half Years Ago**“Wait wait wait,” Angeline bursts out, laughing so hard she can hardly say the words. “Wait! Evie!” She puts her hands out to grab my wrists, stopping me from again sweeping my hands over my hair, which is currently a bright purple.I’m also laughing so hard that my stomach hurts as I stare at our reflections, baffled and thrilled at how well the little illusion spell is working on us.“No!” I shout, trying to raise my hands again, “I want to turn it green!”“No, the purple is amazing!” Angeline protests, grinning at me in the wide mirror in her bathing chamber. “It goes with your dress! And you have to fix mine – seriously, you have to fix mine!”And then we’re both laughing hysterically again because I really do have to do something about her hair – the last time I touched it and muttered the words to the incantation, I made it look like the ends of her hair had caught on fire and shriveled up into sad, crispy little curls. It’s amazing, real