Alpha Dom and His Human Surrogate

“Please,” the shadow says, his voice awkward and apologetic.

I’m still rigid with fear when Conner storms out onto the balcony, his hand smacking the shadow-person in the chest, slamming him against the wall. ” Who the hell are you!?” Conner demands.

“Please!” the shadow says again, “I’m so sorry! I was just standing out here, also getting fresh air! This is a complete accident!”

And suddenly, the voice snaps into place in my memory. “Conner!” I call, Rafe fussing in my arms, not liking the sudden change in my energy and the fear spiking through me, though I’m calmer now. “Please – it’s the Atalaxian Prince. He is – I don’t believe he means us any harm.”

And even though something about that concept doesn’t match up – an Atalaxian? Not meaning us any harm? Especially after the meeting I just had with my uncle?

Still, somehow, I know the truth of it down in my bones. He doesn’t.

Conner glances at me and then backs up a little, removing his hand from the Prince’s chest. “Should I escort him out of here, Luna?”

“No,” I sigh, shaking my head. “Not unless he wants to go, of course. But the night air is for everyone. I can’t have it all to myself just because I’m the Queen.”

The prince looks between Conner and I for a moment, stepping further into the light so I can see his pale features and the details of his chic black suit. “I would…stay, for a moment, if that’s all right? Have a quiet word with you, so that we don’t leave this evening on bad terms?”

“That’s fine,” I say quietly, somehow a little pleased that he will stay. I’m still terribly curious about him, perhaps despite myself.

“Would you mind?” Conner says to the prince, his voice tight. “If I performed a body check? To ensure that you don’t have…”

my guest,” the prince says, spreading his arms wide and allowing Calvin to

me, his face quite serious, I nod back to him and

I say, genuinely meaning it, hoping that he hears the sincerity in my voice. Conner nods again and steps to the door, standing with one

and taking a few steps closer to me not too close, but close enough to

them,” I say with a little shrug, studying Calvin’s face carefully. As I do, I wonder a little

is something else

says, dipping into a little bow. “The ceremony today was very moving, as was the vote. It is inspiring to see how much your people support you – the wolves

“Do you…not get this

we ask them,” he says, his voice a little chagrined. “My father’s policy is instead to…tell the people

raise my eyebrows, genuinely surprised that he’s being so candid with

policy is wise,” I murmur, wanting to shout from the rooftop that his father is a tyrant, but working very, very hard to be a

takes a step closer at me and studies my face for a moment before dropping his gaze to Rafe in my arms.

Calvin’s face. “Your son is a very handsome boy,” he says, smiling

curious. He’s young, I

children of

growing as he thinks

now that I know he’s a father. There’s something about that – the alliance between parents who

suppose, is perhaps what this prince

little, curious. Something about his words strikes me as…wrong. And I

child?” I ask,

makes me laugh