Theodore didn't answer, just walked to the east side of his study, where his fingers pressed lightly on a jade pixiu figurine. A soft click echoed, and a hidden stone door slid open. He grabbed my hand, lacing his fingers tightly with mine, and pulled me inside. I dug my heels in at the threshold, my instincts screaming not to go.
"Don't worry, I won't hurt you," he said, his hot breath brushing my ear, laced with mockery. "After all, you've got a fine betrothed."
Candles flared to life along the walls. The moment I saw what was inside, my breath caught in my throat. The vast chamber was lined with portraits of me—me as a young she-wolf picking flowers at a spring banquet, me drunk and galloping down the streets, me at the polo match, disguised as a pup, my hairpin yanked out by him, my
