Semua Bab Surrogate Bride To The Alpha Stand-in: Bab 21 - Bab 30

"I—"Lena barely got a word out before Lydia seized her arm.She stepped in front of her protectively, shielding her from the accusing eyes of the crowd.Her sharp gaze locked onto the maid, burning with righteous fury."What did you do to her?" Lydia demanded, her voice laced with outrage."I knew you’d be disrespectful as always!"Kara Voss let out a bitter laugh.Her hands clenched at her sides, trembling with barely restrained fury."Disrespectful?" she echoed, her voice shaking."I have endured her cruelty for years!"Emotion thickened her tone as her breathing grew uneven."I have been insulted, humiliated, and treated like dirt beneath her feet."Her voice cracked with raw emotion.She glared at Lydia with red-rimmed eyes."But today..." The words caught in her throat before she forced them out."I refuse to be silent any longer!"Gasps rippled through the gathered crowd.A good tragedienne indeed.She was clever. Every word she spoke was her truth, yet now, twisted against Len

Ethan’s lips moved hungrily against hers, his body pressing her firmly against the wall. His warmth surrounded her, drawing her in deeper.Then suddenly, Lena broke away, shoving him back with surprising force. Ethan stumbled, his eyes wide with confusion.Lena clutched her head, a sharp cry escaping her lips. The pain was unbearable, like her insides were being torn apart.“Lena?” Ethan’s voice was alarmed. “What’s wrong?”She couldn’t answer. The searing agony left her breathless, her vision blurring.Footsteps sounded outside. Heavy. Purposeful. Drawing closer.“I’m sorry,” Ethan muttered. “I have to go.”Without another word, he turned and bolted for the window. In one swift motion, he was gone, vanishing into the night just as the footsteps reached her door.The door burst open, and Darius stormed in, his gaze locking onto Lena.She was slumped against the wall, her face pale, one hand still clutching her head. Her breathing was shallow, her fingers trembling.He took a step forw

A century agoThe wind howled outside, clawing at the walls like a restless beast.He stood near the window, his gaze fixed on the darkened sky.The storm mirrored the turmoil brewing inside him.His chest tightened as footsteps sounded behind him.Soft, hesitant steps that belonged to only one person."You're late," he said without turning.His voice was low, strained.“I wasn’t sure if I should come,” Antara whispered.At the sound of her voice, he finally faced her.Her golden hair spilled over her shoulders.Her blue eyes, once so warm, barely met his.“You shouldn’t have come at all,” he said bitterly.“Unless you’ve changed your mind.”She swallowed hard, her fingers curling into the fabric of her gown.“I haven’t.”It felt like the air had been knocked from his lungs.“Don’t do this,” he said quietly.“Please, Tara...”Her eyes closed at the sound of her name on his lips.When she opened them again, her gaze was firm.“I’m sorry,” she said.“I’ve made my choice.”“You’re choosi

"You were right, she's not Kara Voss," Alpha Darius said as he walked into his office, his beta trailing behind."I told you," Cedric replied.Darius sank into his chair, dragging a hand down his face. "But what I don't understand is why she's hiding the truth. What's stopping her? Trade goods or freedom?""Likely."He scoffed. "And she thought this was the best place to find freedom?"Cedric stepped further into the room, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I don’t think so. Remember? She tried to escape when she first arrived. Doesn't seem like someone seeking freedom."Silence lingered between them.Then, flashes of Lena coughing up blood flickered through Darius’s mind. The way she'd tried to speak but ended up choking on her own words."A-ha!" His hand slammed on the desk. "They're clever. Very clever. Lydia Voss planted her slave here in place of her daughter and had a witch cast a spell to keep her from speaking the truth. That’s why she can’t talk. She's bound by magic."Cedri

"Do you have no sense of propriety?" Kara demanded, her voice sharp. "When was the last time you bathed?"The young maid lowered her gaze, her face flushing with shame. "I am sorry, Luna.""You ought to be sorry for yourself," Kara retorted coldly. "Leave at once!"The maid bowed her head further and fled, tears tracing down her cheeks."They are but maids, Kara," Valaria remarked with a languid tone, her wine glass poised delicately in her hand. "You cannot expect them to be spotless at all times."Kara’s eyes narrowed, her disdain evident. "Nonsense. My other servant maintains a standard of cleanliness," she scoffed, her eyes rolling dismissively.Selena’s lips curled into a sly smile. "Isn’t that the very reason you hold such disdain for her, Luna? Because she is cleaner and..." She paused, sensing the change in Kara’s demeanor. "I mean... she is more... presentable."Kara yawned, her body stretching languidly across the bed, a portrait of boredom. "Both of you bore me. Leave."The