Althea and Melva were getting ready to ride out with the Alpha King. Althea had dressed in a simple, comfortable riding outfit, expecting to have her own horse. She couldn’t deny the flicker of excitement in her chest — she would be traveling with the Alpha King himself to visit the borders.

It was something she’d long wanted to do, to finally see more of the kingdom instead of being confined to the palace where every look was filled with hatred and judgment.

Melva was quietly packing ...