Alpha Groom’s Wrath: The Bridal Swap Is a Trap

The voice came from behind them. Deep and cold and unmistakable. The mate bond thrummed. He’d been hiding it. Keeping his presence muted so I wouldn’t feel him approach. But now I could feel everything. His rage was a living thing. Hot and violent and sharp. I wondered if that rage was for me. Or…

I smiled. I made sure it reached my eyes. “If you want to show gratitude,” I said carefully, “I will sign this. I will become practically your slave. But one term here has to be changed.” He straightened up. I saw his eyebrows lift. Like he couldn’t believe I had the audacity to negotiate. “What?”…

His hand stayed where it was. Warm against my skin. Not squeezing. Not moving. Just there. “You think you have me figured out.” It wasn’t a question. “Maybe I don’t.” I kept my eyes on his. “But today, I do. So what is it going to be, Alpha Cian? More games that will take us…

I could do this. I had to do this. Because the alternative was dying in this cell. Or eventually dying at his hands. So I would play the part. I would be the Luna he needed me to be. I would make his mother happy and keep my head down and survive. And maybe, if…

They nodded. Quick and terrified. “Now get out.” I gestured toward the door. “Because I can go all night.” They scrambled. Picked up their leader from the floor. She was conscious but barely. They half carried, half dragged her out. I waited until they were gone. Until I heard their footsteps fade down the hallway.…

Milo sucked in a breath like I’d punched him. “You’re right,” he said. “You’re absolutely right. But I can fix this. I swear I can fix this.” “How?” “Tomorrow.” He was talking faster now. Desperate. “Tomorrow I’m coming to Skollrend. I’m going to tell Cian everything. What Hazel and I did. How we planned it.…

HAZEL I couldn’t sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Milo’s face when I’d told him the truth. The way his hope had shattered. The way he’d looked at me like I was something rotten. I told myself it didn’t matter. He’d fall in line eventually. They always did. But something gnawed at…

“I just wanted to get out.” My voice cracked. Just enough to sound real. “I just wanted a choice. And yes, I used you. I used Fia. But what else was I supposed to do?” He was listening now. Really listening. “Please don’t do this.” I reached up. Touched his face. Let my fingers trace…

And he did. Grunting low and filthy, he pumped ropes across my face, my lips, my tongue. Warm, thick jets coating my cheek, dripping from my chin as I gasped, licking at the head like I couldn’t get enough. His whole body trembled with the release, groaning my name like it hurt to say it,…

Then I pushed the doors open. The chamber was circular. The elders sat in their high backed chairs arranged in a semicircle. Seven of them. All old. All powerful. All men except for Elder Moira who’d survived four Alphas and buried two husbands. My parents were there too. My father stood near the elders with…