Chapter 34 Then it's just us . Alaric approaches slowly , hands raised like I'm a wounded animal he's trying not to spook . The gesture is so familiar it hurts - just like that day in my cottage when I thought he was just an injured wolf seeking help . But he wasn't just a wolf then . And I'm not sure what I am to him now . - " Sweetling , " he breathes , and something in my chest cracks at the gentle word . He reaches for my chains , power rolling off him in waves . But I have to know . " Did you really mean to send me away ?! His hands freeze . In the darkness of the dungeon , his steel - gray eyes seem to glow with unnamed emotions . And I wait , heart in my throat , to learn if I've been wrong about everything once again . His hands hover over my chains , a muscle ticking in his jaw . " Send you away ? " The words come out rough , almost wounded . " Sweetling , I've been going out of my mind trying to find you . " The gentleness in his voice makes it harder , somehow . " I heard you ... in your study . About making decisions . About me being a liability . " Understanding dawns in his eyes , followed quickly by something that looks like self - directed fury . " Those conversations weren't what you think . " " Then what were they ? " My voice cracks . " Because Eris said- " " Eris lies . " The chains snap under his hands like they're made of paper . " She's been lying since the day you arrived . " He helps me stand , but my legs are weak from hours on the cold stone . I stumble , and his arms come around me automatically . The warmth of him after the dungeon's chill makes me shiver harder . " You're freezing . " He shrugs off his jacket , wrapping it around my shoulders . His scent envelops me - winter wind and safety I'm afraid to trust . pine and " Why did you come looking for me ? " I hate how small my voice sounds . " I'm just a wolfless omega . A liability to the pack . " His hands tighten on my shoulders . " Is that what you think ? That I see you as a liability ? " " I don't know what to think anymore . " The words tumble out before I can stop them . " Everyone keeps telling me what I am , what I'm not , where I belong . Cassius , Eris , your father ... I thought I could trust you , but you have secrets too . Things you won't tell me . " Something flashes across his face - pain ? guilt ? - before he masters it . " There are things I need to explain . But not here . Not like this . " As if to emphasize his point , a cold draft whistles through the dungeon . I sway slightly , exhaustion and emotional upheaval taking their toll . He makes a sound low in his throat and suddenly I'm in his arms , cradled against his chest like I weigh nothing . " Put me down , " 1 protest weakly . " I can walk . " " Humor me " His heart thunders under my ear . " I spent hours thinking I'd lost you . " Lost me ? The word choice seems odd for someone who's just a charity case . But I'm too tired to puzzle it out , my body betraying me by curling closer to his warmth . Chapter 34 +25 BONUS As he carries me up from the dungeons , his voice rumbles through his chest : " I'm going to deal with Eris . She won't hurt you again . " " She'll deny everything . " My eyes are getting heavy . " It's her word against mine . " " No. " Something dangerous enters his tone . " It's her word against her King's . And she forgot the most important rule of manipulation . " " What's that ? " His arms tighten fractionally . " Never threaten what belongs to the Lycan King . " I should protest that I don't belong to anyone . Should pull away and stand on my own feet . Should guard my heart against more pretty words and half - truths . Instead , I let my eyes close , just for a moment . Let myself feel safe , just for now . But as consciousness fades , I hear him murmur something that sounds like " mate , " and my dreams are filled with wolves running under moonlight , calling me home . Cara Anderson author