All Chapters of The Alpha's Reluctant Temptation: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Marigold POVOf course, the gods just had to ruin the one decent night of sleep I’ve had in weeks. I’d finally gotten comfortable—wrapped in Gregor’s ridiculously large shirt that smelled way too good for my peace of mind—when the damn growling, howling, blood-splattering show started at dawn.I shot upright so fast I nearly toppled into the fire. Nonna was already clutching her spoon like it was a holy relic, muttering prayers and curses in the same breath. And me? I was pressed into the corner with her, staring wide-eyed at the scene unfolding.Gregor—well, his wolf—was tearing through intruders like they were warm bread rolls. Blood, fur, weapons, snapping bones—it was a nightmare ballet, and he was the star performer. And let me tell you, the front row seat was not as glamorous as it sounds.“Mother of—Nonna, I swear, if one of those ears flies in this direction, I’m out!” I hissed, pulling her spoon-wielding self tighter into the corner.“Stay down, girl,” Nonna snapped, though s

Alpha Gregor POVThat night, with the storm battering the windows like an omen, I finally laid it all out.Prince Leon sat across from me in the prince’s version of “a small study,” which looked like a damn throne room disguised with bookshelves. He was calm, too calm, swirling a glass of brandy while his human mate slept in the next room. But when I told him what Zach had confirmed—that he was the one feeding Zach information, the one I could trust—his mask slipped just enough for me to see the man beneath the crown.I told him everything.About the death of the real Margaux, ambush at the inn. About the chase. About the Black Fang coming after us like vultures on blood. About the girl who wasn’t supposed to exist—Marigold, not Margaux—her warrior wolf carrying a darkness even I couldn’t name.And then I told him the part I hated most. The part that tasted like ash every time I said it.“That night in the Wolfgang pack,” I said, my voice lower, harsher, “they thought they were punish

Marigold POVThe storm hadn’t stopped. The sea roared below like it was mad at the moon, and the air outside was heavy with salt and thunder. I should’ve been asleep, curled up in that ridiculously oversized bed Sugar shoved me into—seriously, who needs twenty-seven pillows? But no. My wolf was restless, my head was buzzing, and something told me Alpha Gregor was probably brooding, half naked again, somewhere like a tragic hero in a bad romance novel with bad ending.I was right.When I padded onto the shared balcony, satin robe swishing against my legs (thank you, Sugar, for saving me from streaking across this royal palace-sized “vacation house”), there he was—Alpha Gregor. Sweatpants. And daymmmn that bulge!Slippers. Gray t-shirt clinging to his chest like it was sculpted for war and seduction. I mean, come on. Could the moon goddess give me a break? The man was Henry Cavill with brooding attitude.“You’re still awake?” I said, leaning casually on the railing like my knees weren’t

By the time midnight rolled around, I was convinced that Sugar had either lost her mind, or was secretly plotting to kill me through sheer exhaustion.“Again!” she clapped her manicured hands like some demented ballet instructor, her diamonds sparkling under the chandelier light. “But this time—more sway in the hips, darling. You are not Marigold, the peasant with a limited wardrobe. You are Margaux, the scandal of every dinner party. If you do not look like you are plotting someone’s social downfall with every step, you are failing.”I groaned, dragging the hem of yet another satin monstrosity down the grand staircase. This one was gold, glittering like I had just mugged the sun. “I swear, this dress is trying to eat me alive. If I trip and break my neck, you can just tell the king it was couture homicide.”From the corner of the hall, Prince Leon leaned casually against a marble pillar, watching like he was both entertained and mildly horrified. Gregor was seated stiffly on a velvet

Marigold POVI stormed into one of the thirty million guest rooms of Leon’s “totally not a mansion” vacation house, slamming the gilded door behind me. Two seconds later, the door creaked open like a horror movie villain and in stalked Gregor, all storm cloud eyes and Alpha scowl.I spun around, arms crossing like I was about to scold a toddler.“What is wrong with you, Gregor?”He shut the door with a thunk that shook the chandelier. “Nothing.”“Nothing? You just went full angry-wolf in the living room like Leon tried to steal your chew toy.”His jaw clenched. “I don’t like games. Sugar pushing you and Leon together—unnecessary.”“Ohhh,” I drawled, stepping closer just to poke his chest with my finger, “this isn’t about Sugar. This is about you sounding like the green-eyed monster. You were jealous.”“I. Was. Not. Jealous.” He ground the words out like gravel.I snorted so hard I nearly choked. “Ha! Alpha Broody, you practically growled stay away from her like some dramatic soap oper