I nearly choked on my soup.He looked at me calmly, not a trace of mockery in his eyes. He had said it with the same casual, natural tone one would use to remark on how heavily it was snowing.Not knowing how to respond, I simply lowered my head and continued drinking my soup, my ears burning hot.The next morning, a bouquet of flowers was left at my door.Such vibrant flowers could never grow in the Frostlands; Alexander had specifically found them for me.In the days that followed, I realized Alexander was nothing like the rumors.He never restricted my movements, never limited my diet, and didn't even bring up the mating bond once.I lived in his castle for ten full days. Aside from handling pack affairs, he spent his time practicing with his sword in the snow or sitting alone on an ice peak, watching the moon.One day, unable to hold it in any longer, I asked him, "Aren't you afraid I'll run away?"He turned his head to look at me, a faint, barely-there smile touching his ice-blue
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