The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret

I step forward to the crystal doors to the palace, nodding to the Gamma who announces, quite grandly, at the top of his lungs: “MAY I PRESENT, THE CELESTIAL EVERLEIGH DE SILVA.” The Celestial Entrance to the palace is beautifully structured for moments just like this. It’s a long walk up the marble stairs outside, but the climb allows you to enter the ballroom at the top of a sweeping staircase that overlooks the sunken ballroom beneath. You have two choices once you’re announced. You can either hurry to the left and lose yourself in the crowded balcony that rings the dance floor, or, as most choose, you can walk slowly down the long marble staircase, letting everyone get a good look at you as you descend. The staircase is a gift, really, to women who are seeking Alpha husbands, as every Celestial has a chance to shine like a jewel. This staircase is the whole reason why Celestials have a separate entrance from the Alpha men: so that prospective husbands can take their time survey

All around us, Alphas and their Lunas raise their goblets, cheering. I stand stone-faced, staring out at all of them as the King holds me close to his side, an arm around my waist. No one mentions the rips and dirt stains at the hem and back of my dress, or comments on my shocked pallor. They ascribe both, I assume, to the passion of the King – after all, we wolves are not prudes – and the shock of being chosen as his new Luna, the future Queen. The King takes a swig of wine from the goblet in his hand, looking down at me. “Drink, wife!” he demands with a laugh, his voice booming. I look up at him and do as I’m told, bringing my own goblet to my lips and taking a sip of the rich red liquid. The King takes a step away from me as I drink – just a step – distracted by one of his favorite courtiers. The wine is delicious, but I barely notice it as I look anxiously out into the crowd, hoping to spy my sister – even my mother – But suddenly, I feel my face go pale as a tall figure walks

It only takes five minutes for Auden to leave the palace and cross the grounds to the Beta barracks, where he throws open the door. Everyone inside immediately goes still, caught in the middle of a card game that absolutely should not be happening. Or at least, almost everyone goes still. One person lounges carelessly in her chair, draping an arm over the back. “Should I deal you in, Prince?” she drawls, her black eyes sparking as she brushes the silky curtain of her black hair away from her face. Auden narrows his eyes at Margot, the most notorious woman at court and certainly not an enlisted member of his military. “No, Margo,” Auden replies evenly, hiding his surprise as he takes a few slow steps into the room and slips his hands into his pockets. “Though I wonder if there’s any way I could convince you to close out.” Auden’s eyes flick to t

Shit.It’s the only word I can think as I see him standing there, his eyes taking in the picture we make: me, my children, our ridiculous pet dragon, clearly ready to run. And I watch as he focuses solely on them, shock the only thing on his face as he puts together my story, the reason I ran.I’m completely frozen as I watch the man I never, ever intended for my children to meet looking right at them.I gasp, suddenly, my body forcing me to draw breath as I realize that in my panic I’ve completely stopped breathing. My mind begins to whir then, coming up with any excuse, any viable solution –The only thing I can think of is to scream at my children to run – or at least to lie -Unfortunately for me, Vivi acts first.“You stay away!” she yells, dropping Coco on the wooden floor of our porch with a thump as she points a small, angry finger at the Prince. “You get away from our house, stranger!” she shouts. Coco gives an indignant little cry but then he shakes himself and, predictably,

**Midwinter, Five and a Half Years Ago**“My queen,” Auden says, bowing low to the girl he barely knows standing before him on the dais. He lets out a long breath as he holds the bow, staring at the floor, willing himself to hold himself together and be civil to this woman who took his mother’s place. It wasn’t her fault, after all.When Auden straightens, he sees a warm smile on Angeline’s face, her hands outstretched towards him.“Hey, Auden,” she says, her voice soft. “Welcome home.”And something shifts in the prince as he looks at the girl standing before him, her face open to him and full of empathy. He had thought that he’d have nothing but bitter resentment for Angeline for the rest of his life - had been fully prepared for that, even.But as she stands there in front of him, her arms outstretched, a hesitant smile starting on her face, Auden’s mouth curls upwards at one corner. Damn it, but he can’t help but like her. Just a little bit.Auden takes a few steps forward, raisin