THE ALPHA’S QUIET TEMPTATION のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 1 - チャプター 5

LIORA'S POV"Wolfless bitch," I heard someone whisper as I passed and a soft giggle followed.I kept my head down and continued toward the stairs. There was no point in responding. The words had lost their sting years ago because I had heard them all over and over again.I had woken before dawn, to the familiar ache that had settled deep into my bones. Yesterday's work which included scrubbing the grand hall's marble floors on hands and knees had left my shoulders burning and my lower back throbbing with that persistent pain that never quite faded. Other omegas could let their wolf heal them but I had no such mercy. I could not shift so I lacked the strength that most wolves possessed, hence the pain lingered in me like an unwelcome guest that refused to leave.The air was cold and damp, carrying the musty smell of stone and earth, but I kept walking. In the kitchen, I found my workspace already sabotaged. The cleaning rags I had folded so carefully the night before were scattered

LIORA'S POVThe next morning came too quickly, dragging me from restless dreams into the harsh reality of another day. My body protested as I dressed, the events of the previous night still fresh in my mind. But it wasn't the pain that made my hands tremble as I fastened my apron, it was the memory of Anna standing in the corridor.In the kitchen, I kept my head down and tried to make myself as invisible as possible. But I felt Julian's eyes on me the moment he entered.His stare was cold and venomous, and although he said nothing, I could see the threat in his eyes.I swallowed hard and focused on my work, praying he would simply let it go.The household buzzed with excitement about the alpha's return. The whole estate seemed to vibrate with anticipation.Alpha Lucas Hart had been away for nearly a year on a conquest to the northern territories, and his homecoming would be celebrated with a grand festival at the palace."Liora." Old Marta touched my arm, making me jump. "You've been

LIORA'S POVThe walk felt endless and each step down the corridor echoed too loudly in my ears. The tray felt heavy, and beneath the silver dome covering the master's plate, I swore I could hear my own heartbeat pounding.I knocked softly on the study door."Enter," came his gruff voice and I did.Lord Cassius sat behind his massive oak desk, papers spread before him, his reading glasses perched on his nose. He looked up as I entered, and I was struck by how tired he seemed, probably older than I had ever seen him, with deep lines carved into his face."Your breakfast, my lord," I said quietly, setting the tray on his desk, careful not to shake anything.He grunted, barely acknowledging me as he moved his papers aside. I poured his tea with shaking hands, the liquid steaming as it filled his cup. The entire time, my mind raced with scenarios of what could go wrong, what Anna might have planned.But nothing happened.Lord Cassius took a bite of his food, sipped his tea, and waved m