Page 39 of Gold Sector

Now I’m soaking wet in the middle of the Alpha’s room with no towel, no clothes, and nowhere to go. But if he thinks I’m going to trade my firstborn for gold…

I snarl, snatching at the necklace around my neck.

Then the Prince of Gold Sector’s words from earlier replay through my thoughts.

“Gold is a coveted metal in Gold Sector. I suggest you not only wear that necklace to your next audience with the court but also bring any other gifts you’re given. The more items you can present, the better you’ll be received. Do you understand?”

“Oh, Gods,” I breathe. “I’m the miller’s daughter…”

“You’re nothing like her,” Oros says as he saunters into the room with a large white towel. “Come here, printesa mea. You’re dripping all over my wood floors.”

I narrow my gaze at him. “I don’t want anything from you. No more gold. No… notowels. Nothing. You arenottaking my firstborn.”

“I have no desire to take your firstborn,” he murmurs, his steps bringing him closer to me and causing me tobackpedal. I yelp as my rump hits his bed. He keeps coming toward me, making me wince against the mattress.

Only to be engulfed in the softest, fluffiest towel I’ve ever felt in my life.

He wraps it around me like it’s a blanket, his strong arms yanking me away from his bed as he mutters, “I’m all for having a wet Omega in my bed, but not quite like this.”

I shiver in his arms, his strength doing things to me. Things I want to reject. Things I want torunfrom.

Because I won’t be the miller’s daughter. I won’t give up my child.I won’t be my mother, I think, shuddering violently.

“Shh,” he hushes.

But I won’t beshushed.

“You can’t have my child,” I tell him.

My wolf seethes inside, furious right along with me. She might not understand our words or what we were discussing in the shower, but she understands me. And she’slivid.

I can feel her clawing at my instincts, demanding I let her free.

It suddenly feels like my only option.

“Taliana,” Oros says, a hint of dominance in his tone.

But I’m done listening to him. I… I can’t be the miller’s daughter. I won’t be my mother.I won’t give up my child.

Not for anything.

Not for being accepted.

Not for being mated.

Not for being wanted. Desired.Claimed.

No. I… I can’t. Iwon’t.

“Taliana.” His Alpha growl wraps around me, grounding me in the present and halting my shift before itcan ignite. I cry out in agony at having his dominance pressing down on me, my knees bending in response.

He catches me and holds me, his purr instantly roaring to life as he presses his lips to my ear.

But I can’t hear what he’s saying.

My heart is beating too fast, my breathing a panting mess, my insides…twisting.

There’s a low keening sound—a mewl?—that makes thought impossible. I… I just… I can’t… I’m…