JessamineMoira. Katherine. Helen. Vivian. Keisha. A horrible bunch, really.I sip my tea, watching them beneath long lashes. My head inches left. Evelyn. Cassandra. Ava. Emma. Daphne. The less terrible group. Saved only by the arrival of rogues before they could be hunted to death as well.And then, there’s me, belonging to neither group. I’m the one who spent the night with Alpha Kier and saved his life. Today, I’m not a maid or an Omega. Today, I’m special. Today is when the tables turn. They can feel it, I’m sure. The shift in the air. The tension. The storm brewing. “Jessamine.”I drop the tea cup on the saucer without making a sound, and I raise my head, waiting.Moira nods toward the platters piled with various foods: cheeses, bread, fruits, pastries of every kind, all arrayed before us. "The servants are rather slow today?" She leans forward in her seat and pushes the platter nearer to me. "Serve us."My fingers curl in my lap as I stare her down. “Why?”Katherine snort

KierMy footsteps echo down the empty hallway, and the silence between each step is unnerving. I rarely pay visits to this wing of the castle—the dungeons. It reminds me too much of the visits I’d paid to my father before he was executed.A soul-rending howl splits the air, and the sound of a desperate plea follows. Lloyd walks ahead, motioning to the guards to let us through. I stare at him and stifle the anger that threatens to build. It’s been four days since I spoke to Jessamine, four days since I tucked her in to sleep. She won’t even look at me, the ungrateful witch. Or talk to me. For four days, I’ve been on edge, anticipating what she might do next, when she will visit my study again, when next she might taunt and haunt me.She’s everywhere. The hallways, the breakfast table, the training halls, the gardens, outside my study, the library, every godsdamned place in my castle, and yet, all she’s done, is act like I do not fucking exist. She’s either laughing or joking around wi

Jessamine "Is he looking?" I ask softly, flipping the page over. "Yes," Lloyd answers, fingers combing through my hair. My head's on his lap, and I'm reading a book to him. Partly because I know Alpha Kier does his morning runs through this path every day, and the other reason is because I really don't want to talk to anyone today. Or see anyone else. I'm hungover and in a terrible mood. "For how long will you do this, Little Jess?" Lloyd asks after a moment and I move the book out of my face to really look at him. "For as long as I need to." I start to sit up when I remember Alpha Kier's looking. "I'm sorry for using you like this." Lloyd chuckles, his green eyes softening. "I don't mind. Messing with Kier is much more fun than being holed up in my study, looking at the logs, and besides," her murmurs, tapping my nose fondly. "I quite like having your attention." I raise my book to hide my blush. Lloyd's always been this way with me. Doting. Ca

KierJessamine approaches, and I can’t help but suppress a chuckle at the sight. Covered in a tattered tunic that seems more suited for peasants, pants that look one step away from becoming rags, and worn boots that have more holes in them than all my clothes put together, she looks absolutely ridiculous.A brown leather belt hugs her waist, a dagger hanging off it in plain sight. Gloves cover her hands, weathered and stained with Goddess knows what, and a scarf is clumsily wrapped around her hair, failing to conceal a few strands of that luscious hair that frames her face.Yes, at first glance, she resembles a little man. But her violet eyes, there’s no hiding that spark of mischief forever in them. Or those lips that could never be found on a man’s face. Or her pert little nose. Or those dimples that grace her cheeks when she pouts, looking at me like I’m the one who looks ridiculous.“Kier, do you wish to get mugged?” she asks, closing the distance between us in swift, confident st

Kier"No."The man tips his head back and laughs. "An odd choice, considering how dire the situation is. Do not think for a second that my King cares for this treaty. Or peace. Your father murdered peace, and you have continued in his stead."My jaw ticks. "Your King had my lands attacked. Four maidens, daughters of Alphas died in that charge. Yet, I held back." I lean back in my seat. "If I wished to play games like, burn the castle, I would have sent more men, and your King wouldn't be alive to send this message. So, no. I did not send rogues to Dawn. Perhaps, I should've sent an army right after I buried my dead."Darrock falls silent. "The rogue gave your name."I recall the dungeons, and the rogue I'd killed. His warm blood running down my hands, staining my sleeves. "And the prisoner gave me your King's name."The emissary slices his head left, his forehead creasing. "If I am to believe you, someone is trying to start a war between our kingdoms." A pause in which his lips tug do