Semua Bab Mate's Vengeance : Bab 11 - Bab 16

Sera had to remind herself of that, had to keep the cold core of rage burning beneath the soft, vulnerable mask she was wearing. "You may continue working on the garden," Kael said finally. "On your own time, as you've been doing. I won't have it torn out. I'll speak to Celeste about reconsidering the landscaping plans." "Thank you, Alpha," Sera said, carefully not showing too much pleasure. "That means a lot." "And Sera?" Kael's voice took on a slightly harder edge. "Celeste is under a great deal of stress with the ceremony preparations. She may seem... protective at times. Try not to take it personally." He was defending her. Even after that conversation, even knowing Celeste's jealousy was irrational, he was defending his future mate. Because he was honorable. Because he'd made a commitment and would honor it, regardless of his feelings. "I understand, Alpha," Sera said. "I'll do my best to stay out of Miss Celeste's way." Kael nodded, already turning away, his attention ret

Kael studied her for a moment, and Sera could feel the weight of his Alpha presence, could sense him assessing her in the same way Celeste had, but differently. Where Celeste had looked for threats and deception, Kael seemed to be looking for... honesty, maybe. "Look at me," he said, not unkindly. Sera raised her eyes, meeting his grey gaze directly. This close-maybe six feet away-she could see the individual colors in his eyes, grey shot through with silver. Could see the lines of stress around his mouth, the exhaustion that came from carrying too much responsibility for too long. He was handsome. She'd noticed that before, but in an abstract, clinical way. Now, meeting his eyes directly, feeling the full force of his attention focused solely on her, she understood why people followed him. Why women might want him. Not her, of course. She felt nothing but cold assessment. But she could see how others might. "Elder Moira speaks highly of your work," Kael said. "Says you're effici

Let me be clear," he said, his Alpha voice coming through. "I don't make staffing decisions based on someone's appearance. If she's doing her work well and not causing problems, she stays where she is.""Kael-""Elder Moira hired her because we're short-staffed before the ceremony. Unless you have a legitimate complaint about her work performance, this conversation is over.""I have legitimate concerns about her intentions," Celeste shot back. "The way she looks at you-""The way she looks at me?" Kael's voice sharpened. "Celeste, I've barely noticed the girl. I couldn't pick her out of a lineup of servants if you asked me to. This sounds like jealousy, and it's beneath you.""I'm not jealous," Celeste said, but her voice had risen slightly, losing some of its usual cool control. "I'm being protective. You're about to be mated, Kael. We're about to form an alliance that will strengthen both our packs. I won't have some opportunistic servant undermining that.""One maid doesn't have th