Althea sat in silence inside the carriage with Melva beside her. They had resumed their journey that morning, and since then, the Alpha King hadn’t checked on her once.

“My Lady,” Melva spoke gently, sensing the heaviness in her, “please don’t be too sad. What matters is that the Alpha King is treating you well. I mean, it’s already much better than how he’s known to treat those who cross him.”

Althea gave her a faint smile and nodded. That was true. She had braced herself to ...