<i>Zephyrine </i>


    22%.


    Finished


    “Good response you gave there, dear niece,” I heard my aunt Kostyra say behind me. I turned, settling my eyes on her.


    She carried a goblet full of wine, and a man trailed behind her. A lord, I thought, judging by the richness of


    his attire.


    I smiled faintly at my aunt, and she turned to the man.


    “Zephyr, let me introduce you to this good man of mine. He is the son of my dearest friend. Ran. He is a merchant.” She turned back to him with a nod. “Dear, this is my niece, the Alpha of Ash Pack. She is the one I told you about.”


    My eyebrow rose slightly as I regarded him. Handsome, yes. He extended his hand gently.


    “She looks even more beautiful in person than in the sketch you showed me, dear aunt,” he said softly, his eyes holding mine. “Ran, mydy.”


    I nced at his hand, then lowered my gaze as I murmured, “Zephyrine.”


    He withdrew his hand with a smile tugging faintly at the corner of his lips. My aunt’s eyes flicked between us before she cleared her throat.


    “Oh, I need to refill my goblet. I’ll leave you both to speak.”


    Before I could stop her, she slipped away, disappearing into the hall where the afterparty continued.


    After my speech earlier, Jurrek had stepped forward to pledge his loyalty, and others followed. Soon the hall had shifted into celebration. But through it all, I had felt Nyroth’s eyes clinging to me while Lycannar never lifted his gaze from the table.


    Now, outside for air, my aunt had double–crossed me again by thrusting this man before me. I nearly rolled my eyes. I didn’t need to guess what she was trying to do.


    “You look beautiful,” Ran said, watching me closely. “Perhaps we could go for a walk, if you don’t mind, mydy.”


    I studied him in silence, then nodded. Soon, we walked together beneath the gentle night sky.


    “You know, I’ve heard a great deal about you from your aunt,” he said softly. “She told me you are a warrior, an Alpha, a gracefuldy. Daring, which I admire. And if you don’t mind, I would like to…”


    “She didn’t tell you I’m also a killer?” I cut in.


    He faltered, staring at me.


    “I suppose she also forgot to mention that I am already in a rtionship,” I added.


    A small frown creased his brow.


    Finished


    “ording to the Moon Goddess, you cannot be with any man who isn’t your fated mate lest you bring her wrath upon your pack.”


    I chuckled dryly.


    “Goodness. <b>I </b>can’t believe my aunt fed you all that. Well, I tried, but my man doesn’t give a damn about what the Moon Goddess says. And my pack is just fine.”


    He searched my face, then tried again.


    “You haven’t even heard my request yet, Zephyr. I’m a merchant in my own pack, and I can…” His words. faltered when he saw my eyes. “You… you look angry.”


    “Just disappointed,” I murmured. “That my aunt thinks a man like you could entice me with wealth.”


    “I have… power too.”


    I stepped forward, and he immediately backed away, as though fearing I’d unsheathe a de and slit his throat.


    “You don’t know what power is,” I said softly, almost as advice. “Stay back. The Lycan King is a mad beast when his woman is approached. You wouldn’tst a second in his hands, trust me.”<fn265b> This text is hosted at ?ovelFind</fn265b>


    His face drained pale at once. Without another word, he turned and walked away.


    I stood still, a lump rising in my throat. My aunt must have paid him, or pushed him, into this. But why? Couldn’t I trust my own blood anymore?


    I lowered my gaze, heavy–hearted, and began to walk away. I had hosted the ceremony, invited half the empire, yet why did I feel so hollow, so unbearably alone?


    Was it because, beneath theughter in the hall, beneath every smile I offered,y the agonizing truth that my own brother was trapped in a ce worse than hell?


    Lost in thought, I nearly stumbled when he came into view and my breath caught. Lycannar Apex Blood.


    Ran had boasted of power, but this man didn’t need to speak it. His aura said it all.


    He stood apart from the crowd, away from the glow of the hall, leaning against his great ck horse, his gaze fixed low to the ground.


    My heart clenched at the sight. It was as though he couldn’t survive a crowded hall, couldn’t endure eyes upon him. How small the Moon Goddess had set his limits.


    He hadn’t looked at me once tonight. He hadn’t spoken a word in that hall.


    Now my chest heaved as I stepped toward him, silently praying that when his eyes finally rose to meet mine, they would not hold rejection but forgiveness.