LOGINAmara’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
Thiago’s POV “We’ll discuss this privately, Celeste.” Kellan looked from Amara to me. “She’s your mate?” Ivara set down her glass. Near the sideboard, Tessa and two attendants stopped working. “Yes,” I said. “Amara is my mate.” Rumors were already spreading through the house. Now everyone in this room heard the truth from me. Amara lifted her eyes to mine. Celeste looked down at her plate, her fingers tightening around her fork. “We won’t discuss the rejection here,” I added. Kellan leaned back, still watching me. We would finish this conversation when we were alone. Dario turned to Soren and asked about Bren, giving everyone something else to discuss. Amara lowered her gaze again, and I disliked how quickly her smile disappeared. When Tessa began clearing the plates, I stood and turned to Celeste. “Come with me.” She followed immediately. Amara was speaking to Soren when we left, but she did not look at me. I took Celeste into the small sitting room across the hall and st
Thiago’s POV Amara stopped beside the chair on my left. I stood and pulled it back. Her blue-gray eyes moved from my face to the place I offered her, then to Celeste on my right. My fiancée wore a beige blouse and chocolate-brown trousers. She watched us without speaking. “Sit,” I said quietly. Amara looked at me again. “I was going to.” I waited until she settled before taking my own chair. Before coming downstairs, I changed into a white shirt and matching trousers. Her gaze lingered on my sleeve, and I wondered whether she noticed the change from black. Then she looked down at the rose-pink skirt across her knees. Her golden-blonde hair fell loosely over her shoulders. She looked less tired than she did at the gates. I wanted to know whether that meant she was beginning to feel safe. Dario caught my eye from farther down the table. The amusement in his steel-gray eyes made me regret asking him for anything. Kellan reached for the water. His olive-green sleeves were rolled a
Amara’s POV I wasn’t certain what to do once he sat down. Thiago rested an arm against the side of the chair, his black shirt pulling across his shoulders. I looked at the cup in my hands instead. Having him close made me want to move closer, and I refused to give Nia another reason to be pleased with herself. “Stop staring at the tea,” she said. “He might think there’s something wrong with it.” “You wanted him here. Help me think of something to say.” “Ask him to stay longer.” I took a drink and ignored her. Thiago picked up the book beside the tray. “Is this what made your bag so heavy?” “That one and the others.” “Dario complained.” “Dario offered to carry them.” “He would offer to carry a tree if your mother asked.” I smiled. “She would make sure he ate first.” His mouth curved, and for a moment, I forgot why I kept reminding myself not to like him. He was easier to talk to when he wasn’t telling me what to do. Then his eyes settled on mine, and I lowered my cup. “Wh







