All Chapters of Surrogate Bride To The Alpha Stand-in: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Lena's heart pounded as she moved through the corridors, and she was careful not to draw attention. The scent of damp earth and blooming flowers filled the air as she stepped into the forbidden garden.The man stood with his back to her, and his long black hair moved slightly in the breeze. He stood with quiet authority, and his hands were clasped behind him as he looked at the water fountain. Even from this distance, Lena could tell that he was tall with broad shoulders, and his stillness was unsettling.Something about him made her uneasy. She wondered who he was and why he was here when no one else was allowed.She crouched low and moved carefully through the grass as she watched him reach out and touch the water with his fingers. He seemed lost in thought and distant from the world around him.Then he tilted his head slightly."You know I could smell you the moment you stepped in here," he said, and his voice was deep. "Come out."Lena went still.She stepped forward slowly and ke

In the festival grounds, the air buzzed with murmurs and hushed conversations as elegantly dressed women from noble houses and distant packs filled the space.The flickering torchlight cast golden hues over the gathering, illuminating the lavish decorations and the dancers twirling in mesmerizing rhythm at the center of the festivities.Applause and whispers rippled through the crowd, but among the seated pack leaders, impatience stirred.At a long table beside the Alpha's vacant throne, the high lords and betas exchanged glances, their expressions darkening. Lydia Voss sat with poise, while her daughter stood nearby, dressed in the simple garb of a maid."How much longer will the Alpha keep us waiting," High Lord Alister said, his fingers drumming against the table.His irritation was shared by the others, their displeasure evident in the stiff set of their shoulders."Does he mean to disgrace the pack leaders by refusing to host us properly. How dare he insult those who have upheld

High Lord Rhovan finally spoke.His voice was smooth, but there was an edge to it as he looked at the gathered leaders."I have heard," he said, and his eyes showed his intent, "that you have taken a Luna from the Crimson Moon Pack and from the household of Beta Lydia."Alpha Darius lifted his goblet and then paused. The firelight caught the sharp angles of his face, and shadows moved over his expression. He lowered the cup slowly, and his face showed nothing."Well," he said, and his voice was steady. "It was a truce between us."A hush settled over the festival grounds."Our pack," Darius said, "was simply doing them a favor by removing the rogues that plagued their lands." He let the weight of his words settle before he spoke again. "Nothing comes for free."Murmurs went through the gathered Alphas. Some of them nodded with understanding, and others exchanged wary glances.But Rhovan was not finished.His lips curled into a slow smile."A fitting arrangement," he said. "Especially

The ritual ground stretched wide, and it was a sacred space that was carved into the heart of the forest. Thousands of pack members filled the grounds, and their presence pulsed under the red glow of the Blood Moon. The tall trees that surrounded the grounds moved as if something unseen was moving them, and their ancient roots thrummed with the energy of generations past.At the center stood the sacred fire, and its flames rose into the air while shadows moved across the four stone pillars that surrounded it. Each pillar had carvings of wolves in the middle of transformation, and their snarling faces and clawed hands reached toward the sky. The stones vibrated with magic, and their symbols pulsed with the rhythm of the hearts of those who had gathered.The alphas and lunas stood closest to the fire, and their gazes were locked on the ritualists. Behind them, the betas and elders and warriors formed a circle, and each rank was placed according to their standing within the pack. The res

"And," Lord Rhovan asked as he paused while the tea streamed into his cup."Then he ran," Varian said.Silence settled between them, and the only sound was the faint trickle of liquid until Lord Rhovan finished pouring and set the jar down with a deliberate sound."You did not follow him," he said as he traced the rim of his cup with his finger.Varian lowered his head. "I did, but he vanished without a trace. There was no scent, and he was too fast."Lord Rhovan exhaled slowly. "He knew that he was being watched, and that is why he did not shift." His fingers tapped against the cup. "I think we were wrong about Darius, and he is not a man-wolf. If he was, the Blood Moon would have forced him into ancestral sleep by then."A silence passed between them as he took a slow drink of his tea.Then he set the cup down with a smirk."What about the substitute," he said. "Is there any word on her wound.""Nothing. The castle is silent about it."Lord Rhovan's smirk deepened. "Then he intends