Her Alphas Craved Her Love When She Stopped Caring Them EXPANDEDChapter 1

“Lenora, we’ve arranged your Mateship Ceremony,” her mother’s voice pressed into her thoughts through the mind link, firm yet tinged with worry. “Your blood grows more unstable with each day. Only an Alpha’s bond can anchor it and keep you alive.”

Sitting in the half-dark of her room, Lenora let her eyes drift over the shadows clinging to the corners. Silence filled the link, heavy with everything unsaid. She already knew what was coming—her mother’s usual offer of escape.

“If you truly don’t want this,” her mother murmured after a pause, “I’ll talk to your father. You won’t be forced.”

Lenora drew a breath and steadied her tone. “No, Mom. I’ll go through with it.”

Her mother faltered, disbelief thick in her voice. “You…you mean it?”

“Yes,” Lenora replied evenly. “But I’ll need time to settle things here in Nightveil Pack. Begin the preparations.”

She cut the connection before she could second-guess herself, before she could even ask the Alpha’s name. It didn’t matter who he was, only that he was willing to claim a woman everyone thought was fading.