تسجيل الدخول“She’s the one you chose.” Amara’s words followed me out of her suite. I had chosen Celeste. I had asked her to marry me, and I meant it when I did. That promise had been real, whatever happened afterward at Willowmere. But I could still feel Amara’s fingers around mine. She asked me to stay. I moved my chair closer because I wanted to, and when she made another ridiculous joke, I found myself smiling. I was already wondering when I might have another excuse to see her. Nero stirred. “You don’t need an excuse.” “That is not helping.” I stopped at the bottom of the stairs and called Celeste. She agreed to meet me in the west sitting room that afternoon. Afterward, I asked Tessa to check on Amara and make sure Soren returned as planned. Then I went to my study to finish the report I left open that morning. I read the same paragraph three times. By the time Celeste arrived, I was tired of arguing with myself. She wore a pale blue blouse and cream trousers. Her chestnut-
Thiago’s POV I looked at Amara’s outstretched hand. She was resting against the cushion on her sofa, watching me with those blue-gray eyes of hers. Her sage-green blouse was slightly creased from lying back, and she had loosened the braid in her golden-blonde hair. The medicine Soren gave her seemed to be working. She was no longer shifting restlessly, and her breathing seemed easier. But she was asking for mine. I took her hand and moved my chair closer so she would not have to keep reaching across the space between us. “Is that better?” I asked. She nodded. “Much.” Her fingers settled around mine. I expected Nero to become unbearable, but he gave a satisfied sigh and finally stopped arguing with me. For the first time since Soren mentioned her heat, my wolf seemed willing to leave me alone. Amara closed her eyes. I watched her breathing grow steadier and rested my free arm against the chair. Her glass of water and the plate of fruit Tessa brought were still on the table. Out
I let go of Thiago’s wrist. Hearing him say my heat was starting frightened me, and I was embarrassed by how quickly I reached for him. “I’m fine,” I said. His eyes moved over my face. “You don’t look fine.” “That is a lovely thing to say to a woman.” Tessa touched my elbow. I could feel her fingers through my blouse, but I kept looking at Thiago. Cedarwood and black pepper reached me, stronger than everything else in the passage. Nia moved toward it immediately. “Soren,” Thiago called, his voice was a little high. The healer came out of Bren’s room and took one look at us. Then he opened the door opposite the one he came out of. “Come in here, Amara.” I followed him into a small examination room. My legs worked perfectly well, although Thiago stayed close enough to catch me if that changed. I sat on the edge of the examination bed and pushed my braid away from my neck. “Thiago said it’s my heat. Could it still be the drug?” I asked. Soren checked my pulse. “Tell m
Amara’s POV A maid beside the stairs opened her mouth when she saw me, then stopped. “Good morning, Miss Amara.” “Good morning.” She looked relieved that I answered. Another woman glanced at us from the dining room doorway before hurrying inside. I followed more slowly, wondering what I was supposed to do wrong this morning. Tessa was waiting near the windows. She wore a lavender blouse and gray trousers, and there were two places set at the table. “I thought we could eat together,” she said. “Please. Everyone keeps looking at me.” She waited until I sat before taking the other chair. “They heard the Alpha last night.” I looked toward the doorway. Of course they did. Celeste spoke in a room full of wolves, and Thiago confirmed everything afterward. “Are they expecting me to announce something?” “Some of them thought they should start calling you Luna. I explained that they shouldn’t.” I put down my napkin. “I came downstairs for breakfast, Tessa. I’m not ready to manage hi
Thiago’s POV I returned the bar to its rack and sat up. Sweat soaked the collar of my charcoal-gray T-shirt, but my shoulder moved without pain. I trained in my private gym most mornings. Usually, it helped me think. That morning, I kept remembering Amara standing beside her open door, waiting for an answer I knew would hurt her. Dario appeared at half past six with a folder under his arm. Kellan and Ivara followed him inside. “Is there a reason all three of you are here?” “They wanted a word,” Dario said. “Several,” Kellan added. I put down the towel. “Close the door.” Ivara did. Her black braids were tied back, and she still wore the burgundy jacket she used for the early patrol checks. Kellan leaned against the wall beside her, folding his arms across his gray training shirt. “You finally found your mate,” he said. “We find out over dinner, and before we can ask about it, you’re telling us there was a rejection.” “An attempt, actually.” “That doesn’t make it better.” I l
Amara’s POV Thiago did not answer immediately. I stayed beside the chair I pushed against the door, waiting. A few minutes ago, he was telling Celeste that I mattered more than anyone. I wanted to know what happened to the people who did not have that protection. “They are being held under Lunavale’s law,” he finally said. “That isn’t what I asked.” “I heard your question, Amara.” “Then answer it.” He was quiet now. I pressed my fingers against the door, unable to stop myself from imagining the cells somewhere in his pack. “Some are accused of attacks,” he said. “Others were brought in after their identity was discovered.” My throat tightened. “Like mine.” “Amara—” “What did those ones do?” “I need to review their cases.” “But you already agreed to lock them up.” “Yes.” I stepped back. I wanted him to argue. I wanted him to say Celeste misunderstood something, even though I knew better. Instead, he admitted it without trying to blame anyone else. The chair suddenly see







