Deceptive Practices

Amanda

I crumpled to the ground, holding a hand against my heart. My strength had just flowed out of me. What the hell was going on out there? I whimpered, struggling to my feet.

"Are you okay?" the servant that had been left for me crouched at my side, his soft-green eyes studying me with concern. "Luna, you shouldn't push yourself."

I shook my head. "I'm fine." I'd stopped trying to correct his usage. "Something's wrong out there. I should go see."

He put a hand out, holding me back. "I can't let you do that. I have to keep you safe." He bit his lip before turning away from me and walking over to the coatrack, grabbing a pair of thick heavy parkas. "Here, take this. The Prime would kill me if I let anything happen to you.'

I ducked into the furry coat. It would help combat the chill from outside. I'd been without my mates for the space of a day, and it was enough to make me ache. Were bonds really this strong? "I thought you weren't going to let me do that," I teased.

He ran a han