Semua Bab Alpha Ethan: Bab 11 - Bab 20

Liana’s POV"Are you familiar with the tale of the Elderwolf?" the alpha inquires.Away from the camp, the night is as dark as coal. I can hardly see, but I can hear the wind rustling the water of the loch we ride alongside, and I can smell the rain-soaked evergreen trees and the masculine aroma of the man behind me."The first wolf?" I respond. "Yes. That’s common knowledge."He allows the silence to linger, anticipating my next words."He plotted with the Moon and betrayed the Sun and the first men," I continue. "He was doomed to wander the earth on four legs, living as beastly as his deeds were."The term "beastly" escapes my lips. It’s the word the High Priest always uses when recounting this tale. With the alpha as my sole listener, alone in this strange kingdom, I question whether I should have chosen my words more carefully."Indeed. I suppose that’s how you would narrate it in the Southlands." He sounds contemplative. "It’s true, we were cursed. But that’s not entirely how the

Liana’s POV I feel warm. In fact, I feel hot. My eyelids are heavy, and when I finally open them, a rosy sunlight floods my sight. Bizarre dreams of enormous Wolves and moonlit forests fade away, leaving me in a state of confusion. I realize I’m not in my bed. The grass brushes against my cheek, and the air is refreshingly cool. My nightdress is soaked with dew, accompanied by a symphony of birds, wind, and the gentle sound of flowing water surrounding me. There’s another noise as well; a low, steady breathing. Something substantial is pressing down on my waist. My eyes widen as memories rush back to me. The alpha, the siege, and my abduction from my homeland. To make matters worse, Ethan has me nestled against his chest. He must have drawn me close while he was asleep. I must have allowed it. Goddess! I attempt to wriggle away, but a soft snarl rumbles in his throat. My heart races as I push against his heavy forearm. This time, his growl is low and menacing. His fingers are

Liana’s POV The wind intensifies around us as we ride out of the valley. It feels as wild and unrestrained as the emotions swirling in my stomach. Even the mountains appear to shift as the gust sweeps through the grass and trees. But the mountains stand firm. And so must I. I can’t allow anyone to see that I am terrified of the fate that awaits me when we confront the Wolf King. After several hours of riding, and at my insistence, we paused to eat some more bread and hard cheese, much to Ethan’s annoyance. To be honest, I’m not really hungry. Each hour we ride brings us closer to the Wolves, and a part of me wishes to postpone what’s coming, to mentally prepare myself. Just as we are about to set off again, with Ethan packing up the horse, the sky suddenly opens up. I gasp. I have never witnessed rain like this—so fierce, loud, and drenching. It makes the rain I’ve encountered over the last few days seem mild in comparison. It streams down my face, my lips—causing my hair to cli

Liana’s POV"I was not jealous!”I march ahead of Ethan. My bare feet slap painfully against the flagstones. I have no idea where I’m going, but I need to get away from the aura of amusement he is emitting, and the wide grin on his face.I was... caught by surprise when he hugged that woman. That’s all. He’s a wolf! An enemy! I wasn't...jealous he might have someone back home.I’m so flustered that as I turn a corner, I barge into a servant. She yelps, and her basket of potatoes spills onto the floor.“Oh, Goddess!” I say.“Watch where you’re going—” She sniffs the air, and her lips curl into a snarl. “Human.”I take a small step back.“What are you doing here?” she growls, advancing. “Your kind isn’t welcome—”Suddenly she stiffens. The girl’s eyes widen at something over my shoulder, and she bows her head in deference. Her cheeks flame.Ethan stands in the doorway behind me. He picks up a potato that has rolled into his boot, then walks over and places it in her basket.“Everything

Liana’s POVThere is a ball of nervous energy inside me.I walked into a den of wolves, and they’re looking at me like they’re going to devour me. And this is before they’ve even discovered my true identity; the daughter of their enemy king.It is only the dark-haired man draped over the chair at the end who seems disinterested in my fate.“You’re not going to do anything with her,” says Ethan. There’s a deathly calm to his tone. “She was Marius’s prisoner, and now she’s with me. I wanted to speak with James, but as he’s not here, we’ll be taking our leave.”He grabs my hand.“No,” says Robert, softly.Ethan stills, and a thick tension spreads across the room, mingling with the heady scent of woodsmoke. He releases me.“No?” he says, his voice equally quiet.Robert nods at me. “Who is she?”I raise my chin. My eyes flit momentarily to the narrow window and the mountains beyond—the freedom that I desire. “I’m—”“Her name is Rory,” says Ethan. “A kitchen maid. Not that it’s any of your