Chapter 13
Shit… It was like her world was spiraling.
It was midnight already the next day, Marissa sat curled in her bed, her breathing shallow, each intake of air a battle as pain raked through her body. She clutched at her chest, feeling the sharp ache of her blood coursing wildly beneath her skin, a river too powerful for her frail vessel to contain. The full moon’s glow seeped into her room, its cold, silvery light settling over her like an unwelcome weight. She could feel it, the unstable power thrumming inside her, a storm ready to break.
Her hand shot to her mouth as she felt the bile rise, but it wasn‘ t bile this time. She stared in horror at the blood coating her palm, dark and thick. The sight sent a jolt. of fear through her, more potent than any she’d felt before. Her blood–the very source of her strength–was rebelling
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against her, its potency spiraling out of
control.
The thought echoed in her mind, a bitter truth she could no longer deny. I can’t go on like this. If I don‘ t find a mate, if I don‘ t let the Alpha King stabilize my blood… She didn’t want to finish the thought, but the truth pressed down on her, an unmovable force that refused to be ignored.
By dawn, the pain had lessened, but her body remained frail, her skin pale and clammy, as if the moon had leeched all her strength. She pushed herself up, her limbs. heavy, as if every part of her was rebelling against the reality she could no longer ignore. There’s no choice now, she told herself, her heart sinking. It’s him… or
this.
It was no longer a matter of pride or defiance; it was survival. She might have. feared the Alpha King, she might have. despised the thought of being bound to
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Chapter 13
someone she didn’t know, but she feared
death more. And the idea of a death so pointless, a death that would rob her parents of everything they‘ d fought to protect it was enough to force her hand.
Resolute, Marissa made her way to the packhouse, determined to learn all she could about this man who would soon be
her mate. She would face him, but she needed to understand him first. She sought out members of the pack, beginning with the elders who had lived through more of Idris‘ s reign than anyone else.
She found Elder Rhea in the kitchens, her gnarled hands deftly chopping herbs, her sharp eyes fixed on her work. Rhea had once been an advisor to the council before stepping down, and if anyone knew the truth about Idris, it was her.
“Elder Rhea,” Marissa began, her voice low, “can I ask you something?”
Rhea looked up, her eyes narrowing slightly as she regarded Marissa. “Ask,”
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Chapter 13
she said simply, though there was a
wariness in her tone.
Marissa hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “What do you know of the Alpha King?”
The knife in Rhea‘ s hand stilled, her face going pale. She cast a furtive glance around them, ensuring they were alone, then whispered, “Why do you ask about him?”
Marissa braced herself, trying to keep her voice steady. “Because… I‘ m to marry him. We will create a mate bond between us. Please, don’t tell anyone about this.”
The shock on Rhea‘ s face told her all she needed to know. The elder reached out, her fingers gripping Marissa’s wrist with surprising strength. “The Alpha King… Idris is not like others. His strength… it’s something dark, born of battles and blood. He rules with absolute power, Marissa, and he tolerates no weakness.”
Marissa swallowed, feeling a chill run
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Chapter 13
through her. “So, the stories are true?”
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