Rejected at the Mating Rite, Claimed by the Alpha Heir

I went back to Garrick Thornridge's homeland for our Mating Ceremony.

The rite hadn't even begun when his so-called girl buddy Vesper Briar came sauntering over with a plate of ceremonial cake, grinning from ear to ear, and smashed it straight into my face.

A goblet of bloodberry wine followed, poured over the top of my head. My ceremonial gown turned slick and cold and disgusting against my skin.

I shoved her off me, barely keeping my voice under control. "There's a time and a place for jokes!"

Vesper staggered back with exaggerated flair, landing on the ground in a heap.