~ CASIMIR ~ I stormed through the tunnels of the Palace, furious at her and furious at myself, and even more furious about that because I didn't understand it. But one thing was becoming clear; I should never have claimed her. I should never have invoked the immutable bond. I should have known. I did know! But I'd been caught up, and the pack was descending and… "f*****g f**k!" I muttered. One of the servants passing me squeaked and cowered. I kept walking, muttering to myself, my mind closed like a steel trap so no one else could overhear it. She is my mate. She is a breeder. She is Queen- but I do not need her beyond that. So why had it been so hard to walk out of her chambers? Why had her tears cut me in a way no fang ever had? Why, even now, did I ache to be clos

