THE LAW OF ICE ALDRIC I should push her awaypletely distance her from me for good .


    But the very thought makes every fiber of my being roar in protest .


    Valeria clearly carries secrets and a painful past .


    She deserves a good werewolf .


    Someone who can love her unconditionally .


    Not a Lycan .


    Not even Quinn , who seems to have taken some interest in her .


    I wont allow it .


    Hes not worthy of my little she wolf .


    No one is .


    All Lycans carry violence and darkness within them the curse of destroying what we love most .


    And Valeria will be no exception .


    Ill end up breaking her into pieces with my own hands .


    VALERIA We headed toward the Alphas house , walking through half empty streets .


    This pack felt gloomy and damp .


    No one spoke much , and the few who dared nce our way did so with suspicion and fear .


    I walked beside the King .


    I should be trailing behind him like a servant , but he had ordered me to stay at his side , as if I were his equal , Once , that might have stirred something in me .


    Now , it made no difference .


    I was just a maid .


    My job wasnt to question his behavior it was to serve and obey .


    Your Highness , please ,e into my humble home .


    Weve been expecting you .


    The chestnut haired man who had barged into the inn earlier greeted us with a bow as we reached a modest two- story house at the end of the street .


    As I suspected , he was the Alpha of this pack .


    This is my wife , ra , and my daughter , Adele , he introduced , motioning to the two timid blonde women standing behind him .


    Your Majesty , you should have stayed in my home .


    If I had known you wereing- THE LAW OF ICE  Im fine at the inn .


    Besides , if you truly wanted me in your pack , you would have summoned me properly .


    Wouldnt you ? Aldrics words sliced through him like a de .


    The Alpha barely managed a stammered response .


    Without waiting for more apologies , Aldric moved past him , heading straight to the dining area for a meal that was now closer to dinner than lunch .


    I remained standing in the corner of the room , quietly observing .


    What are you doing ? Aldrics voice suddenly cut through the room , his sharp gaze fixed on me .


    Im waiting … in case you need me .


    What I need is for you to sit down and eat , he snapped , voice heavy with irritation .


    I bit my lip , meeting his piercing eyes , summoning what little courage I had left .


    Sir , servants dont dine with their masters .


    Besides , I already ate at the inn while you were Im only going to say this once more , Valeria .


    Sit .


    At .


    The Damn .


    Table .


    I hate being lied to .


    Now do as you Hismanding voice rattled the very walls , and the entire family trembled in fear .


    My body locked up .


    And my stupid mind screamed , Rebel , rebel , rebel ! like it had finally given up on self preservation .


    But I wasnt stupid enough to test him .


    Not today .


    So , reluctantly , I stepped closer to the table , sitting in the chair he pulled out for me .


    I subtly shifted my seat further from his , determined not to let our arms brush- And I swore I heard a low , warning growl from his chest .


    So , Alpha Edward , Aldric began , his voice calm yet icy .


    re told ! Why was an ancient relic stolen from your pack , and you neither reported it nor requested assistance ? I had to hear about it from a temple monk during the festival .


    The tension in the room thickened as he spoke .


    Without a word , he took my untouched te and began sliding the steak , cutting it into neat pieces before cing it back in front of me .


    Ill eat it .


    But if he thinks this impresses me , hes sorely mistaken .


    Y Your Majesty , I didnt want to trouble you with an issue I thought my warriors could handle .


    I assumed it was just a few forest bandits And did you retrieve what was stolen ? N No , Your Majesty .


    I failed .


    I am an ipetent Alpha the man confessed , lowering his head in submission .


    THE LAW OF ICE  Perhaps he thought Aldric would soften .


    But he knew nothing of the Lycan King .


    Aldric doesnt forgive stupidity .


    I could already tell youre ipetent .


    Thats why Ill be staying in your pack for a few days to investigate personally- BANG ! A loud crash interrupted him as a metal tray slipped from the trembling hands of the Alphas wife , ttering loudly onto the floor .


    Fortunately , it was empty .


    Y Your Majesty , please forgive me ! It was an ident ! Were all just so distressed … My husband has been searching tirelessly for those criminals , she pleaded , attempting to ease the rising tension .


    Across from me , the Alphas daughter offered a shy , nervous smile when our gazes met .


    I returned it out of basic politeness .


    But no matter how polite the gestures were This was , by far , the most ufortable meal of my life .


    I could barely swallow the steak , and all I wanted was to get out of there .


    When Aldric finally released me from my punishment at the table , I practically fled to the porch , desperate for fresh air while he continued a private conversation with the Alpha in his study .


    Are all meals with the King always this … life or death ? A soft female voice whispered near me .