Alaric
Even if I had to play the part of the perfect mate and hide the dastardly truth from Kelly until it was far too late, I would.
Because no matter what it cost me, I couldn’t afford to be rejected. Not now. Not after everything. I had to stay alive. I had to protect my family; my sister, my niece, my people, with everything I had. Kelly was a good woman, kind even after all she had endured. I hoped, gods, I hoped she would understand someday, even if she hated me first.
The first rays of morning cut through the curtains, drawing soft gold lines across the bed where I lay. The sheets were tangled around my legs, clinging to my bare skin. I could still smell her there even though it had been over a day since we shared a bed. There were still faint traces of Kelly’s scent on my pillo
