The Alpha's Ever After - (Werewolf Romance) (Ilie and Soleil Book 2) by Marian Tee Page A

returned her phone to its hiding place.
    She nodded. “But nothing that would keep me from bed.” She yawned right after.
    Ilie frowned. “You’re still tired from last night, aren’t you?” He picked her up in his arms.
    The next thing she knew, they were standing in front of his carriage and he was already placing her on the seat.
    “Ilie!” Didn’t he know how dangerous it was to risk having anyone see that he was so much faster than ordinary humans?
    “Relax, milady. We are in Lunare, and humans permitted here are those who already know what we are.”
    The carriage door closed, and as it sped off down the road, he placed her on his lap and pushed her head towards his chest. “Sleep.”
    “I’m not sleepy.” But she closed her eyes anyway because it was easier to pretend in the dark.
    The words making up Crystal’s text message spelled itself out in her mind.
    There is no time to waste. Your curse will strike tomorrow midnight. You must allow for the heartkeeping to take place or you won’t have any heart to keep even for yourself.
    When they reached home, the marquis told her ruefully, “I would like to kiss you goodnight, but…I hear your curtains twitching again.”
    She smiled up at him. “Let them twitch for all I care.” And so she rose to her toes and surprised the marquis by pressing her lips to his. When she drew back, the marquis was staring at her.
    “Why did you do that?”
    “Did you not like it?”
    “You know I damn well did.”
    “Milord!” She pretended to be offended. “Your words.” She stepped back. “And now, I really must go---” She was about to turn when the marquis took hold of her hand and spun her back to face him.
    “Your father asked me if I would like to accompany you tomorrow to a human ball. If this is alright with you, I would like to use the opportunity to formally announce our betrothal.” His jaw hardened. “Do you have any objections to this?”
    Slowly, she shook her head. “I’m terrified, but…” She inhaled shakily. “No. I have no objection.”
    “Thank fuck.” Ilie released the breath he hadn’t even noticed he was holding until that moment.
    “Milord.”
    “Forgive me.” He lifted her hand to his lips. When he released her, he asked one last time, “You are sure about this?”
    Thinking he was too intuitive for his own good, she lied, “It is only an announcement of our engagement, milord. It is not equivalent to agreeing to be your heartkeeper.” Flushing, she also added, “It is also to prevent any scandal from being attached to my name, in the event that people find out I’ve allowed you certain…liberties---”
    He laughed. “And for a moment there, I actually thought you were becoming biddable.”
    “Heaven forbid.”
    “Also, liberties, you say?” He tweaked her nose, surprising her. “I know you can do better than that, milady, considering those books you secretly love to read----”
    Oh!
    Picking up her skirts, she whirled away from him, saying in a huff, “Good night, milord.”
    But again, he stopped her from leaving.
    “Milady.”
    He pulled her towards him without turning her around, her back against his chest.
    She had the craziest urge to cry.
    “W-what is it?”
    “Nothing is truly wrong?”
    She bit her lip hard. Nothing. She whispered it in her mind because if she spoke, she knew she would not be able to stop herself from crying.

CHAPTER EIGHT
    The ball, held by the Earl and Countess of March, was heralded a wild success, one of those events that would be talked about probably until the next Season and the one following. It was not because they had served the best food or prepared the best entertainment. Rather, it was for the simple reason that the ball was the only party that the esteemed Marquis of Lunare had chosen to attend.
    Every unmarried female in the ball had their adoring gazes glued to him while their matchmaking mamas schemed of ways to lure him into a marriage trap. But first they had to get