Todos os capítulos de FAKE BRIDE OF THE ALPHA KING : Capítulo 31 - Capítulo 40

Briar's POV I woke slowly and felt warmth wrapped around me, pressing along my back and curling around my waist. For a few seconds, I let myself sink into it, eyes still closed, caught between sleep and waking.When I finally blinked them open, I realized what that warmth was.Azrael.His arm was draped possessively across my waist, with his hand resting just above my stomach, fingers loose with sleep. My back was flush against his chest, his breath brushing the back of my neck.Our legs were tangled together beneath the sheets, with every inch of space between us erased.He was asleep. Actually asleep.Carefully, I tilted my head just enough to see him.Up close, he looked different. The harsh lines that carved his face when he was awake had softened. His lashes lay dark against his skin, his brow smooth, his mouth relaxed, making him look almost peaceful. Almost human.He looked younger like this. Unburdened and vulnerable in a way I didn’t think he could be.And somehow, that was

Briar’s POVI barely recognized the woman staring back at me in the mirror. My hair had been styled simply, loose and glossy over my shoulders, and my face had been made up clean. Nothing heavy or dramatic. The dress was a soft fabric that skimmed my body instead of clinging to it, cut clean and elegant, the kind of outfit that didn’t scream for attention but commanded it anyway.I looked… powerful. Quietly so.Angel circled me like she was afraid I might vanish if she blinked. She clasped her hands together, practically vibrating. “You look like a goddess,” she breathed. “No, actually, better. Alpha Azrael is going to lose his mind when he sees you.”I huffed softly, unconvinced. “I doubt that.”She shot me an incredulous look. “My Lady, he most definitely will!”I didn’t respond. I couldn’t because the truth sat heavily in my chest. I didn’t understand Azrael. Not really. And maybe that was the most unsettling part of all this.From everything I’d seen, everything I’d felt, I was s

Briar's POVThe room broke apart into whispers instantly, the sound spreading like a ripple through water. I could feel the tension pressing in from all sides. I caught fragments as they slipped past me about the trials being more than a test. About it being something far worse.Kiara leaned in close enough that her breath brushed my ear. “That’s death,” she whispered, and there was something almost pleasing in her tone, as if she were savoring the thought.My stomach twisted. I didn’t look at her. “Do not listen to her,” Azrael said sharply, referring to Ayanju, his hand tightening around mine. He lifted his head, eyes locking on Aganju. “Remove her,” he commanded.The guards moved, or tried to. I heard the scrape of boots against stone, saw the strain ripple through their bodies as they attempted to step forward. But nothing happened. They remained rooted where they stood, muscles taut, faces tightening with confusion and effort. A chill crawled up my spine.Aganju smiled fain

Briar's POV I was still sprawled on the sofa when he finally let me go, my breath coming shallow and uneven, and my limbs refusing to remember how they were supposed to work. Azrael stayed kneeling in front of me with his hands resting loosely on my knees like he hadn’t just reduced me to this state.He looked me over, then gave a low scoff. “You look completely ruined.”I mustered a glare, though it came out lazy. “You enjoy this far too much.”I shifted, trying to sit up and failing, my head falling back against the cushions. I was too spent, and I honestly couldn't believe he reduced me to this state with his tongue alone. “How do you even do that for so long?” I muttered. “How do you have the stamina to…” I trailed off, cheeks suddenly heating up as I remembered how easily he had ruined me with his tongue.His mouth curved. “You sound impressed.”“Don’t flatter yourself,” I said, though my lips betrayed me. “I’m just saying it was a lot.”“Funny,” he replied. “You didn’t seem to

Briar's POV The bravado I’d carried when I signed up for the trial had evaporated long before night fell.Now, standing at the edge of the forest, it felt almost laughable that I had thought courage alone would be enough.Azrael stood directly in front of the forest. Aganju was beside him, and a few elders flanked her, with stern faces and a suffocating presence. They were all waiting for me.A wide circle had been carved into the earth, its lines filled with blood that stained the soil dark and sticky. Smaller symbols spread outward from it, along with talismans arranged along the ground.Dried bones and stones etched with unfamiliar markings, along with strips of cloth soaked and dried with blood, were arranged in the middle of the circle. Low candles were pressed into the dirt around the circle, their flames burning steadily, throwing long shadows that shifted.The air smelled of smoke, and something about it made my skin tighten, my pulse thrum louder in my ears.Before we came he