Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 79692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
“Stefan has passed the missive to me, yes.”
“And do you approve?”
“I have certain conditions that I hope you will agree to, but other than that, yes, your proposal to merge our packs in one shared leadership between us is to my liking.”
Pasquale gestured for me to continue. “State your conditions then. If they are not unreasonable, I will gladly agree to them.”
Looking at him and no one else, I said, “The first is that I will have Alejandro Moretti as my Cavaliere, and I shall maintain his services even after we are married.”
Pasquale’s tone sharpened as he asked, “Why would you need a Cavaliere when you already have me?”
“He is apparently the only one who can...talk sense to me when I have one of my dark fits.” Like all other panthers, Pasquale knew what I was. But unlike the others, he at least had not called me “The Human Monster” to my face.
“And why is that?”
“The reason does not matter to me. He has already proven on two occasions that he is able to control me even in one of my dark fits. Such skills are of vital importance as in time, it may allow me to use my own skills for the good of the pack.”
“I will not lie to you, princess. I don’t like you having a Cavaliere. It’s sure to cause talk. But that can be handled...” For a moment, Pasquale’s disdain for Alejandro showed on his face. “I know the likes of him. Being a younger son, he has no place in the Morettis. I suppose he thinks ingratiating himself to you will give him a chance to achieve a higher pack position.”
I knew that wasn’t true. Whatever Alejandro Moretti was, he wasn’t like that. But I hardened my heart. Even though I knew it was wrong, I just couldn’t make myself speak. I wanted him to hurt...as much as he had hurt me.
Pasquale was visibly pleased when I did not protest his insinuations. He practically strutted as he came close to Alejandro, forcing me to turn around. Alejandro’s gaze was inscrutable, his face bland, but there was a muscle ticking in his jaw. It was obvious Pasquale’s words had hit a raw spot.
“Do you swear you will serve my princess faithfully, Cavaliere?” He smirked. “Or should I call you dog?”
My head whipped around. “Pasquale!” I was aghast at the term. It was the lowest insult one could give to a werewolf. Crap, crap, crap. This had totally backfired on me. I wanted him to be in pain, but I didn’t want him humiliated this way.
“Alejandro—-” The rest of my words died at his look. I knew then and there he believed Pasquale and that he hated me for it. But more than that, there was pain in his eyes that broke my heart. One day in the near future, I would find out just what that term meant to Alejandro, and it would break my heart all over again.
In that moment, I didn’t care about how much he had hurt me by refusing to be my consort. All I wanted was to heal the pain. “Alejandro...”
But he cut me off. Without looking at me, Alejandro murmured to Pasquale, “I will be faithful for as long as the princess requires my services.”
Pasquale left a few minutes later, claiming a prior engagement he had to attend to. When the doors closed behind Pasquale and the guards left Alejandro and me alone, I tried to work up the courage to apologize to him. I was miserable and upset. I hadn’t meant for that to happen. I never wanted him to be called a dog. He would believe me, right? Surely he knew that I would never want him to suffer so because I...
My head shot up, my face paling.
I loved him.
Oh God, I loved him. I couldn’t understand how such a powerful emotion could come into being in so short a time, but it had happened. I loved him. I loved him with all my heart.
“Princess?”
“Yes?”
And that was my only warning. In moments, he had me up against the wall, and I didn’t even think of refusing his kiss. I wrapped my arms and legs around him, feeling like this was the best place I could ever be in my life. He kissed me hard, and I kissed him back just as fiercely.
When he pulled away, I opened my mouth to tell him I was sorry, to tell him that I would break my promise to take Pasquale as a consort. I wanted to tell him that I loved him, but all the words died at the cold look in his eyes.
“I will fight your battles with you, princess, and for you. I will lead your army and make them the mightiest in the land. Your foes shall rue the day they ever crossed swords with you. Every shifter shall know that you are my princess, and I am your Cavaliere, sworn to obey your every word.”