Semua Bab NOT YOUR MATE, ALPHA: Bab 41 - Bab 46

ArleyThe golden bar and the three-day travel pass feel incredibly heavy inside the deep pocket of my apron as I hurry away from the loud, cheering festival yard. I don't care about the praise from the elders or the murderous glares Marna is throwing my way. All I care about is the fact that I finally have my ticket out of Beyhos.But my duties aren't over yet. The Trial of the First Hunt starts in less than an hour, and as Janus's personal maid, I have to prepare his ceremonial Moon-Balm before the horn blows.I step into the Alpha’s private preparation tent at the edge of the woods, the thick fabric cutting off the roaring noise of the crowd. The air inside smells of leather and polished steel. On the wooden vanity sits the sacred silver bowl.I immediately get to work, grinding the standard pine needles and winter-mint into a thick, cooling green paste. I follow his strict instructions perfectly. The balm is an ancient tradition, a medicine meant to keep the Alpha sane and in compl

ArleyMy wrists burn where the silver cuffs scraped my skin raw.The two heavy-set guards finally let go of my arms, stepping back into the shadows of the stone platform.The pack house is a blur of whispering faces and rustling dresses, but my eyes are locked on Janus.He walks straight down the steps toward me.He wears a fresh, clean black shirt, the fabric loose against his shoulders, but his skin is still pale and strained from the lingering shock of the curse. Even with his energy drained, his steps are steady and heavy. The power radiating off him makes the air feel thick.He stops right in front of me, his shadow falling over my face.Before I can even bow my head or speak, his large hand wraps gently around my forearm."Come with me," Janus says. His voice rumbles straight to my chest.He doesn't wait for my response. He pulls me along, his grip firm but careful not to touch my bruised wrists.We walk past the staring warriors, past the whispering maids, and straight into the

ArleyI’ve been assigned to prepare Janus' mating robe ahead of the day. It's made of deep black wool, trimmed with silver thread along the cuffs and collar.The grand mating ceremony is only days away.My fingers shake so violently I can barely hold the heavy iron, smoothing out the deep creases.Every slide of the iron makes my chest ache with a hollow pain.This robe represents the life that was stolen from me.Janus was supposed to be my fiancé.He was promised to me before my world shattered, and now, I am forced to stand in this damp laundry room as a nameless servant, preparing him to bind his life to my cruel sister, Risa.The worst part—the part that makes me want to scream until my lungs bleed is that I have actually fallen in love with him.I love the man who stood on that platform yesterday and risked everything to save my life, the man who has slowly found his way into my space.And my reward is to iron the clothes he will wear to marry someone else.The bitterness of it