Page 50 of The Alpha’s Heir

“They can’t.” Morrigan deadpanned. “That’s why it’s imperative that they all stay in their respective places, asleep.”

“And are they still asleep?” I wondered aloud.

“Of course they are.” Morrigan brushed off the question as she sat up suddenly, changing the subject so fast I almost got whiplash. “What in goddess’s name are you wearing?”

“It’s a wedding dress,” I mumbled, trying and failing to reach the zipper on the back myself.

Great. I was going to be stuck in this thing all night or risk going back downstairs to ask for help.

I do have claws, my beast offered.

“Here.” Morrigan snapped her fingers. A rush of wind, and I was back in my normal clothes while the dress hung from a hanger in the middle of the walk-in closet.

“Thank you.” I took a full breath, still warm, but able to cool off a bit.

“Don’t say I never did anything to help.” Morrigan watched me move about the room. “I’m assuming the wedding planning is coming along well.”

“It’s still set for the full moon like you commanded.” I perched next to her on the edge of the bed, trying to think of the best way to approach this. “About that… Is there any other way to appease the gods? I was thinking—”

“There’s your problem,” Morrigan said. “You think too much. Just do what you’re told, and we’ll get through this.”

I studied her from the corner of my eye, knowing the answer anyway, but needing to hear it from her mouth. “You knew about Roman.”

“Roman is none of your concern.” Morrigan’s eyes flashed white while her voice took on that haunting trance-like sound.

My wolf growled as I stared down the goddess. “He’s my mate.”

Morrigan blinked. “And you’ll stay away from him like a good wolf, at least until well after the wedding and we make sure the gods are happy with our sacrifice.”

Why does she not sound sure?

A breeze picked up and rain beat harder against the glass, drawing my gaze to the window.

Morrigan leaned closer to my ear. “You may think the weather is bad here, but out there, your family doesn’t have the protection of the walls. You’d do best to remember that, and remember our ultimate goal.”

An alpha’s knowing washed over me, causing a numb sense of acceptance, even as my insides burned with rage, and I nodded. It was my duty to protect the pack. “I understand.”

“Good girl.” She patted my leg. “Now I need to get going. Was there anything else you wanted of me?”

I shook my head.

Morrigan smiled. “Next time, you don’t have to curse the gods. Just pray.”

She was gone so fast I could’ve imagined her visit if not for the cold rush of truth in her wake.

The goddess had lied to me.

Many times.

What else is she lying about?

17

Roman

I was losing my mind.

When I’d walked into the sitting room and saw her there, I wanted to rip that wedding dress from Meg’s body and stomp it under my boots while I screamed in the council’s faces that they’d never be powerful enough to outmaneuver the gods. Then I wanted to carry her off into the sunset, keeping her for myself.