Semua Bab The Wrong Brother's Bite: Bab 71 - Bab 80

"If I told you that no male wolf has ever touched me, that I built an iron fortress around my heart the day my family cast me out, would you even believe me?" I rasped, my vocal cords burning as I glared up at the massive Alpha standing beside my bed. "Or would you just call me a liar again?"Sterling raised one dark, imperious eyebrow, his broad shoulders blocking out the sunlight streaming through the arched windows of the Whitaker River Estate. "A broke outcast with nothing to her name? Anyone in your position looks ragged and starving. Tell me, Maisie, before you turned up floating in my river like abandoned baggage, how exactly did you survive?""I worked fifty hours a week at Mercer Electrical Works," I snapped, the memory of the grease, wire coils, and heavy iron parts making my knuckles ache. "I lifted crates, fixed power lines, and kept Alwyn Mercer's machinery running until he retired and shuttered the shop without warning. Then my brother decided my small room at Harcourt C

"You survived that freezing river, Maisie," Maribel murmured, carrying the polished oak tray out to the sunlit stone patio overlooking the Silvermoon River. "Not a single crumb left on your plate. Dr. Bevan called earlier and said you should spend the morning outside in the air. The heavy patio canopy will block the wind off the Frostfall Rapids. How does that sound?""It sounds like heaven, Maribel," I replied, smoothing the fabric of my trousers as I sat by the glass doors. "I feel my strength coming back every hour.""I've never seen an omega so determined to drag herself out of bed," Maribel laughed softly, resting her hands on her hips. "Pacing back and forth across that bedroom the last two days like a caged lioness!""A very fat lioness," I corrected dryly, looking down at my generous hips and full thighs.Maribel waved a hand dismissively. "Nonsense, child! You have glorious, healthy curves fit for an Alpha's pack house. Cedric is coming up to carry you down the grand steps."

He carried me up the grand staircase with swift, silent strides, taking me into the guest quarters and laying my soft frame down onto the feather mattress."I will have Maribel bring you tea," Sterling said coldly, turning his back on me and slamming the bedroom door shut behind him.Minutes later, Maribel slipped into the room, carrying a tray of warm broth and steaming herbal tea. She walked over to the windows, pulling the heavy drapes partially shut to filter out the harsh afternoon sun."I don't know why the Alpha was making such a fuss out there," Maribel said gently, placing a soft fleece blanket over my waist. "First time out of bed after nearly drowning in the Frostfall Rapids is bound to drain an omega's strength.""Maribel," I said, my voice hoarse as I sat up against the pillows. "As soon as I can walk to Frostwick without fainting, I am leaving this territory."Maribel sighed, shaking her head. "You'll have a fierce fight on your hands if you try to leave, child. Alpha St

Tamsin's eyes flashed with anger. She turned to Sterling, clutching his arm tighter. "Sterling, darling, I refuse to stand here and be insulted by a fat, masterless stray! Take me back to my den. And she can keep those clothes—I wouldn't touch anything that's rubbed against her skin!"Sterling hadn't moved a single muscle. His eyes remained fixed on my face, dark and unreadable."Baxter," Sterling spoke at last, his deep Alpha voice vibrating through the room like thunder. "Have you finished making a fool of yourself?""Just leaving, Alpha," Baxter grunted, standing up."Then take your sister home," Sterling commanded coldly.Tamsin gasped, reaching up to wrap both arms around Sterling's neck. "What about our night, darling? You promised me a full tour of the upper estate."Sterling didn't hug her back. He simply leaned down and pressed a brief, detached kiss to her cheek. Yet the casual intimacy of the gesture struck my chest like a physical blow, my wolf whimpering in unexpected ago

"Where is he?" I demanded, my voice echoing off the stone walls.Maribel emerged from the kitchen, pointing nervously toward the heavy oak doors at the end of the corridor. "In his Alpha den, Miss Harcourt, but—"I didn't wait. I slammed the double doors open and burst into Sterling’s private den.The room smelled of old leather, parchment, and raw wolf essence. Detailed maps of the Silvermoon River and boundary markers were scattered across a massive wooden desk. Sterling sat behind it, a quill in hand, surrounded by pack ledgers.He didn't even look up when I slammed the door shut behind me. "Impressed by the territory map, little human?""Do you think this is a game?" I snarled, striding across the sheepskin rugs until I was leaning over his desk, my full chest heaving against the tight silk of my dress. "I told you I don't want your money! I don't want your clothes! And I am never, ever going to be your Luna!"Sterling slowly set his quill down. He leaned back in his leather chair